Teaching writing to nonwriters
Do you ever teach nonwriters?
Do you ever struggle with what to focus on?
Do you wonder how to keep students engaged?
I’ve taught digital writing at my government organization for 10 years. And I’ve learned some things along the way I’d like to share.
Excitement grows about Canada’s new accessible plain language standard
Canada published its first accessible plain language standard on International Plain Language Day, October 13, 2025. The standard is called CAN-ASC-3.1:2025 – Plain Language. It is the product of more than 5 years of hard work by Accessibility Standards Canada (ASC) and its Technical Committee for Plain Language.
What Does AI Mean for Plain Language Writing?
Writers are increasingly exploring AI out of curiosity or necessity, but many aren’t sure how tools like ChatGPT and Claude can help make their writing clearer and easier to understand. That hesitation makes sense, especially in work where clarity, accuracy, and accountability are core values.
Stop the Scroll: Why Government Social Media Needs Plain Language – Shuly Babitz
There’s a classic Friends episode where Ross, Rachel, and Chandler try to move a couch up a narrow staircase. Ross keeps yelling, “Pivot!” but Rachel and Chandler freeze. They don’t know what he means. Chandler finally snaps: “What does pivot mean anyway?”
The Federal Plain Language Guidelines Are Missing
For more than 20 years, you could find the Federal Plain Language Guidelines (FPLG) on plainlanguage.gov. But when that site was recently taken down, the guidelines quietly disappeared.
Members-only opportunity to advertise with purpose
How listing your company on our Consultant List page boosts your visibility and supports our mission If your organization helps others communicate clearly—whether through plain
Honoring Karen Sokohl: Advocate, Colleague, and Friend
Karen Sokohl joined the Center for Plain Language Board in 2021, eager to serve a three-year term. Her passion for plain language was immediately clear—as was her creative and generous spirit. She was bright, enthusiastic, witty, and always ready to jump in and help.
Plain Language: Connecting Us Through Good and Bad Times
A year ago, my fellow employees and I officially launched the Town of Chapel Hill’s Plain Language program with an online center of excellence, a style guide, and an ambitious plan to train as many of our staff as possible in plain language basics.
Clear Language, Fair Justice: Simplifying Debt Processes in Minnesota
At the urging of Ian Lewenstein, a Center for Plain Language Board Member, the Center helped support a medical-debt bill in the Minnesota Legislature. The bill—passed in May—addressed the harmful impact of medical debt on people’s lives.
What is readability and why should content editors care about it?
For an organization, going digital with its communication often reduces cost. Self-service, chatbots, and FAQ sections are increasingly popular to reduce face-to-face or phone interactions.
Adapting to experts
When it comes to plain language, every subject matter expert has an opinion. They may worry the methods oversimplify their work and will lower their professional reputation. Or they may feel the word choices are less precise or too general and will cause doubt about their research results.
“Say it once and say it well”
Considering a new job in the new year? You are not alone. During fall, workers complete performance reviews and learn how they rate, but many employees are also evaluating their own feelings about the boss, the company, and the future.
If you are updating your resume this holiday season…