Listen & Watch
How to adopt a plain language strategy
Interview with Annetta Cheek, September 30, 2011
Plain language in government documents is now the law, but changing the culture of “government-speak” to stay compliant can be a challenge for many agencies. So the Center for Plain Language is hosting a hands-on workshop to help feds cut through the acronyms, ambiguous phrases, and long-winded explanations.
Canada’s plain-speaking Auditor General Sheila Fraser
CBC’s The Current
Thursday May 26, 2011
This interview with Sheila Fraser, outgoing Canadian Auditor General, dives right in to her plain language philosophy and why she thinks that speaking so every citizen can understand the reports from her office is so important.
The show begins with…
Fraser’s first big report and announcement and it set the tone for the rest of her tenure. From the beginning, it was clear that this auditor general meant business – and would mince no words.
Now, after 10 years on the job, the woman many say is the best government watchdog Canada has ever had – is on her way out. Her term is up, she officially steps down next week.
(Thanks to our colleague on Twitter, Catherine Buckie (@cbuckie) for this link)
The Feds must stop writing gibberish
Annetta Cheek was interviewed by the Associated Press about the Plain Writing Act in an article by Calvin Woodward published May 19, 2011. (more…)
A pop song without plain language
Just for fun, a YouTube video of a pop song with its lyrics re-written in decidedly un-plain language. See how long it takes you to figure out the original song once you’ve heard the new words.
The video is from okaysamurai. Hat tip to Twitter friend @cbuckie for sharing this link at #plainlanguage
Credit card agreements need financial cryptographer
NPR’s Morning Edition, March 18, 2011
Susan Kleimann talked with NPR’s Chana Jofe-Walt about how to make credit card agreements easier. Her work was described work this way:
“She’s sort of like the financial document cryptographer for the people. When Congress passes a new law that requires banks to change the way they communicate with us, Susan gets a call. And she proceeds to study every word and centimeter of the pages we receive in our mailboxes.”
Offering another opinion, a lawyer suggested that legalese is necessary, and keep documents shorter.
“Because there are terms such as “herein.” “As set forth herein.” If I’m not going to use herein I have to say, “as set forth in this agreement.” So I now have three words where I had one.”
Full version of the audio (4:21 minutes)
Plain writing award open for 2011
Interview with Annetta Cheek, January 27, 2011
Here is your chance to recognize the best and worst of writing in the federal government. The Center for Plain Language is gearing up for its annual ClearMark Awards competition. This year’s contest takes on new meaning because federal agencies are running under a new law, the Plain Writing Act, designed to make government documents easier to understand. Joining us with details on how you can get in on the contest is the board chair at the Center for Plain Language, Dr. Annetta Cheek.
Good news! Clarity’s a-coming!
The Hot Air Vocal Ensemble, singing the Clear Writing campaign song, “Good news: clarity’s a-coming!” by David Monkcom.According to the notes with this video, “We are leading a campaign to encourage Commission officials to write more clearly. It summarizes the advice contained in our campaign booklet, How to Write Clearly (PDF) and sets it to a traditional gospel melody.
Why can’t companies speak in plain language?
Dad, What Do You Do at Work? I’m a Leader in Active Safety: Communication Breaks Down as Businesses Craft Grandiloquent Self-Descriptions – Wall Street Journal, November 26, 2010
Why government and business need clear and concise documents
Interview on Capital Insider, November 8, 2010
Annetta Cheek, board chair at the Center for Plain Language, explains what plain language is and why the government and businesses need to use it on TBD’s Capitol Insider. (more…)
How to adopt a plain-language strategy at your agency
Interview with Annetta Cheek, October 28, 2010
Annetta Cheek told Federal News Radio the Plain Writing Act of 2010 has good practical requirements in place, such as senior officials overseeing implementation, training courses and avenues for reporting. “But getting down to the nitty-gritty of writing there are a lot of techniques that you can use to make your writing plainer.”
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