Brief History of the U.S. Federal Plain Language Movement

A Movement for Clear Communication

Plain language in the U.S. federal government didn’t appear overnight. It grew over decades, shaped by dedicated volunteers, supportive leaders, and a shared belief that government communication should serve the public clearly and respectfully.

Here’s how the movement grew, and how the Center for Plain Language became part of its story.

Early Efforts: 1990s–2000

While U.S. federal plain language efforts date back to the 1970s, the work became more organized in the mid-1990s, when federal employees formed the Plain English Network (PEN) to help agencies write more clearly. PEN offered tips, training, and examples; the first coordinated effort to make government communication easier to understand.

By 2000, PEN evolved into the Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN), a volunteer community dedicated to improving federal writing. PLAIN

Created the Federal Plain Language Guidelines
Provided free plain language training to agencies
Launched and maintained plainlanguage.gov, which became the central resource for government writers across the U.S.

During the same period, plain language was reinforced by key executive actions, including:

There was even a vice president–sponsored award recognizing government employees who transformed bureaucratic writing into clear, useful information for the public.

Agencies also began developing their own resources. The Securities and Exchange Commission’s Plain English Handbook became a standout guide and remains a widely used resource today.

A New Nonprofit and a Push for Legislation: 2003–2010

In 2003, several early plain language leaders, including members of PLAIN, founded the Center for Plain Language to expand the movement beyond the federal government.

Center’s History

By 2006, the Center, alongside plain language advocates across the U.S., began pushing for a federal law requiring clear communication. It took four more years, and multiple attempts, before Congress passed the Plain Writing Act of 2010.

The Plain Writing Act of 2010

Signed on October 13, 2010, the Plain Writing Act requires federal agencies to use plain language in documents that help people

Access a federal benefit or service
Understand information about a benefit or service
Comply with a federal requirement

In April 2011, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued the Final Guidance on Implementing the Plain Writing Act. This guidance instructed all agencies to follow the Federal Plain Language Guidelines and named PLAIN as the official interagency working group for supporting implementation. Agencies were told to contact PLAIN for next steps and support.

What the Act required agencies to do

In addition to using plain language to communicate with the public, executive agencies had to

Name a Senior Official for Plain Writing
Create a public plain language webpage
Train employees in plain writing
Post annual compliance reports

The Act did not include funding, leaving many agencies without the resources they needed.

PLAIN Steps Up: Training, Templates, and Tools

When the Act went into effect, interest in plain language surged. PLAIN, still a volunteer group with no budget, suddenly had hundreds of new members and agencies seeking guidance.

To meet the need, PLAIN

Updated plainlanguage.gov with Act requirements and timelines
Created a downloadable template for compliance reports
Developed a “Plain Writing Act Implementation” briefing for agency leaders
Built a Train-the-Trainer program so agencies could teach plain language in-house
Offered free half-day plain language training across government
Added a list of agency Plain Writing Officials
Expanded its meetings and community resources

These efforts helped agencies build stronger programs and improve communication across government.

As more agencies used the Guidelines, they became a cornerstone of federal communication — shaping writing across government, informing international standards, and influencing work far beyond the federal space.

A Growing Community: 2018–2025

In 2018, PLAIN launched the first Plain Language Summit in partnership with digital.gov and General Services Administration (GSA). The annual Summits brought together leaders across government and the private sector to explore how plain language supports design, accessibility, and customer experience.

Plain language was also essential during the early 2020s, especially in communicating urgent public health information and improving government websites.

In September 2025, GSA redirected plainlanguage.gov to a digital.gov page featuring guides inspired by the original Guidelines but without PLAIN’s involvement. The historic content was moved to a GitHub archive.

Plain language remains the law, and recent executive actions continue to emphasize its importance, from improving transparency to simplifying funding opportunities and updating acquisition rules.

The Center for Plain Language’s Role

The Center has always been closely connected to the federal plain language movement, from shared founders to shared values.

Promoting Accountability

In 2012, the Center launched the Federal Plain Language Report Card. For the first time, agencies received public grades on how well they were meeting the requirements of the Plain Writing Act. The Report Card quickly became a powerful motivator, helping agencies strengthen their plain language programs and celebrate their progress.

Celebrating clear communication

The Center also created the ClearMark Awards, honoring outstanding public and private sector documents written in plain language. Government writers continue to be among the most celebrated winners.

Supporting milestones and community events

In 2020, the Center co-hosted the Access for All Conference, marking the 10th anniversary of the Plain Writing Act.
In 2025, the Center reaffirmed its commitment to the movement by posting the full Federal Plain Language Guidelines, ensuring continued access to this foundational resource.

Plain Language Is Still the Law — and Still the Future

Plain language is more than a requirement. It’s a commitment to public service, accessibility, and trust. The movement continues because people across government, nonprofits, and the private sector believe in the same simple idea:

Everyone deserves clear communication.