Serif or Sans?
Plain language writers are mindful about displaying text in highly readable fonts. Some writers choose fonts based on aesthetic considerations; others follow common text display conventions. Serif Fonts Many American…
Tweet this: Simple and short
…are now worried about the consequences of their creation” “These climate change truths are much worse than inconvenient” Lessons learned The examples share common traits you can apply to writing…
New Resource: We ❤ Health Literacy
…on plain language, design, usability, typography, and much more. Basically, if it’s related to health literacy, it’s fair game. Check out their first post about the importance of writing with…
There’s no ease in legalese
Matthew Salzwedel offers some great tips and persuasive advocacy in his online column, most recently Simple Legal Writing Isn’t Baby-Talk. One answer to Matthew’s question, Can Legalese Tank Business Deals?,…
Volunteer
Volunteer members are the backbone of the Center. We couldn’t do the work we do without you. Current skills needed include: Copywriting and editing (creating original short-form and long-form content)…
ClearMarks awards ceremony – registration
…contact us at info@centerforplainlanguage.org Members/non-members, if you click the button to “add guest” a new screen will appear asking for your guest’s contact information. Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software…
Tufts Health Literacy Leadership Institute
…to register, visit the course website at https://publichealth.tufts.edu/graduate-programs/professional-development/hcom-professional-development/health-literacy-leadership Contact the course director Sabrina Kurtz-Rossi, sabrina.kurtz_rossi@tufts.edu / 781-835-6488 with questions about course content. Contact the Tufts Public Health and Professional Degree…
Before and After Examples
…After Letters and Notices Bank of America Class Action Settlement Service Notification Before After Letters and Notices Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Massachusetts Medicare Age-In Before After Regulations Bureau of Indian…
Making decisions for your health: Getting the info you need
…The agency aims to provide clear and accurate information to patients and to health care professionals in several ways. For example, FDA strives to: Use plain language for clear communications….
Privacy and Terms of Use
…have questions about our policies, please contact us by postal mail or email: The Center for Plain Language 2652 Chancer Dr. Richmond, VA 23233 info@centerforplainlanguage.org Last Edited on 2025-31-08…
Briefly fun, then quickly annoying business phrases
…proliferation of business jargon: It fast becomes cliché. You know that someone who utters the phrase “Think outside the box” has never, in fact, been out of the box. Has…
Hawkeye Pierce pierces barriers between scientists and the rest of us
Earlier this year, CBS Sunday Morning interviewed actor and professor Alan Alda about his efforts to help science students learn to speak to people in language they can understand. After…
Should I make my website accessible to people with disabilities?
…for many of us, it is required by law. Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (508 for short) says that any agency that gets money from the federal government must…
Awards
ClearMarks This is how we recognize the best English, French, and Spanish plain language content. With the ClearMark Awards, the Center sets a high standard for clarity and simplicity in…
2023 ClearMark Awards
The Center for Plain Language announced Thursday, June 22, the winners of its 13th annual ClearMark Awards. The ClearMarks recognize the best in plain-language communications—in English, French, and Spanish—from government…