What do we mean by plain language? A communication is in plain language if its wording, structure, and design are so clear that the intended readers can easily find what they need, understand what they find, and use that information. The definition of “plain” depends on the audience. What is plain for one audience may […]
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Awards
ClearMarks – This is how we recognize the best English and Spanish plain language content. With the ClearMark Awards, the Center sets a high standard for clarity and simplicity in the materials created by North American companies, governments and organizations.
Top 10 Plain Language Resolutions for 2016
Start your year off right – with new goals and commitments to make communication clearer. Here’s resolution #5: “Write less, get read more. The stats are clear. People are busy. We all want info as quickly and as clear as possible.”
Is Government writing growing more plain?
The grades say it is…mostly.
As we do every year, the Center reviewed agencies’ plain language programs and some writing samples for the annual Federal Report Card, released today, November 17. Representative Dave Loebsack announced the results.
The role of plain language in ethics: A conversation with an author
I recently watched a video where a patient defined “hypertension” as “when you’re not able to sit still.” It made me sad—and reminded me (again) why plain language, or clear communication, truly matters.
Since our founding in 1975, Healthwise has been committed to producing health information that people can understand. That was years before plain language became a discipline, a movement even, and the worthy focus of conferences, organizations and workshops. Now there’s a new book on the topic, Plain Language and Ethical Action, by Boise State University technical communications professor Russell Willerton.
Privacy notices: Some takeaways from the TIME.com article
Early this summer, TIME.com asked the Center for Plain Language to evaluate some online privacy notices, using the types of assessment we use for our ClearMark awards and our Federal Plain Language Report Card. I took the lead on the project and learned some great lessons along the way. TIME.com published the article in August.