Turning concern into trust
Plain Language writing and editing
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.
In the work world, this means lawyers don’t want to remove specific legal terms, scientists don’t want to delete scientific words, and engineers don’t want to cut out their data graph. The good news is they don’t have to.
Jargon and industry-specific terms are important tools among peers inside a sector or field who must use the same professional terms to establish credibility, compare results, or advance projects. While jargon can expedite communications among peers, it can frustrate outside readers.
That is where plain language comes in because every expert needs to communicate clearly outside of their program. The five steps to plain language focus on reader results and make the content so clear, every reader can find, understand, and act confidently on the information. That’s a powerful business tool when experts want more money from the budget office, a raise from the company president, or more media interviews to promote their work.
Plain language advocates know that accuracy is the most important criteria for experts. That’s why plain language editors constantly loop back to the experts, their bosses, and senior executives for reviews and approvals at every stage of the production process. Yes, there are a lot of negotiations, but the recurring reviews are essential to guarantee the expert’s intended meaning has not changed.
This process is often the tipping point when an expert realizes they can translate their tech talk into clear and concise text without losing content integrity. They also see how the plain language version decreases misunderstandings or complaints about their work. The expert’s concern turns into trust for the plain language method.
More experts in every field see the results of plain language. Lawyers have learned how plain language helps courts expand access to justice, scientists have seen how plain language supports their work, and engineers have watched plain language advance their projects successfully.
Plain language training
When designing plain language training, consider personality traits of experts and their key questions. Addressing expert concerns and reservations upfront shows respect for their viewpoint and helps build trust throughout the training session.
With each expert, be prepared to share the latest justifications for plain language training from executives inside the organization and from independent research outside of the organization.
Examples from a Center for Plain Language trainer
- Lawyers
Personality: persuasive, natural leaders, inquisitive – they are used to influencing others through the written word.
Key questions: What and why?
Support: Provide details about the Plain Language Writing Act of 2010, its implementation, and best practices. Also share solid research and examples about plain language results such as Center for Plain Language member Joe Kimble’s book, Writing for Dollars, Writing to Please.
- Scientists
Personality: curious, imaginative, and artistic – they are used to questioning their peers and their superiors as part of the scientific method.Key question: Why?
Support: Provide similar resources noted above. Include details of executive sponsorship and connections to strategic goals, data results, or benefits of plain language. - Engineers
Personality: conscientious, methodical, reliable, and planners – they are looking for efficiencies and ways to streamline.Key question: How?
Support: Provide similar resources noted above and create workflow charts and checklists.
Learn more about adjusting to experts and designing training programs

About the Author: Communications Consultant Kate Goggin specializes in plain language writing, editing, and training. She is a certified technical writer and has consulted for private industry clients in international business, and federal agencies, including the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. She is a member of the Center for Plain Language and the Society for Technical Communication and holds a degree in Communications Consulting from George Mason University. She is currently contracted to A. K. Government Solutions.