Getting doctors to use plain language and other ways to improve patient understanding
…each 3-4 pages long, several specifically promote the use of plain language. For example: Tool 4: Communicate Clearly includes strategies such as: Listen carefully. Use plain, non-medical language. Use the…
Join the Center and Save on Registration for the Access for All Virtual Conference
Don’t miss the Access for All conference October event! This conference marks the first time Clarity International, the Center for Plain Language, and Plain Language Association International (PLAIN) have joined…
2025 Report Card
…published the Federal Report Card, grading U.S. agencies on their compliance with the 2010 Plain Writing Act. Starting in 2025, the Federal Report Card becomes The Report Card. Each year,…
No more 10-4: Police codes switched to Plain Language
Maryland is the latest state to eliminate the 10-codes in favor of using plain language to make it easier to communicate during emergencies and with other, non-police, departments. For example,…
Filling the empathy gap: Learning to be clear in belgium
…Brussels to celebrate the Clear Writing Awards at the European Commission. There, we listened to EU dignitaries, such as Secretary-General of the European Commission Catherine Day, and Center for Plain…
The man in the middle: How to make it all the way up the chain
…is involved in the issue. Invite ideas and explain how writing the document in plain language will make it more understandable for the intended audience. When your office finally has…
Plain Talk in Complex Times 2017
…designed to build and sharpen your communication skills. Plain Talk is your opportunity to learn best strategies for consumer engagement from experienced professionals. Visit PlainTalkConf.com to learn more and register….
Financial Product Legalese – It’s on you
…In 2010, the Center for Plain Language started by awarding ClearMark Awards to government agencies, businesses and non-profits that successfully conveyed complex information to consumers – the Consumer Financial Protection…
Could earlier adoption of health literacy standards have prevented the opioid crisis?
With the 2010 enactment of the Plain Writing Act and National Action Plan to Improve Health Literacy, the development and dissemination of health information that was accurate, accessible and actionable…
Legal writing and the alligator tragedy
Plain English can be a life or death issue. I’ve heard and read about the heartbreaking tragedy at the Disney resort in Florida, where a 2-year-old was snatched from shallow…
What is readability and why should content editors care about it?
…your digital content clear and easy to understand. When you focus on readability, you increase the chance your target audience will actually read and interact with your content. For this…
2018 ClearMark winners
…options are also fairly clear. This is a good example of plain writing addressing a delicate situation, much improved from the prior version.” Finalists Audit Tax Order Consolidation – Minnesota…
How to Redact Personal Information
How to submit your medical communication using Mac Take a screenshot of your bill on Mac To redact: Click on the Markup button in the grey ribbon on top of…
Preventable Harm
…of healing. Here are a few principles to follow: Use plain language. If the point is to engage someone, start by helping them understand. Without understanding, there’s no engagement. Plain…
Plain language = more than words
This article on the role of pictures in health literacy underscores the fact that plain language is about more than just the words we use – it’s about the way…