In the mid-1990s, a group of federal Plain Language advocates met monthly in Washington, DC. We called ourselves PEN – the Plain English Network. In 2000, we changed the name to PLAIN – the Plain Language Action and Information Network. And PLAIN still exists today. However, some PLAIN members knew we also needed a different […]
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Thank you, Deanna Lorianni
As the volunteer who has co-chaired the Center’s ClearMark Award event for the past 2 years, Deanna Lorianni manages the Center’s premier annual event. Working with board member Meghan Codd Walker, Deanna handles the many details involved in pulling off this exciting, prestigious event. Through her work with the staff at the National Press Club, she makes sure the program does a great job recognizing the best (and worst) in plain language documents and websites.
Federal Plain Language Report Card
This year the Center is taking a slightly different direction with our annual assessment of government writing: We are grading forms. Or should I say “We are grading Forms!!”—yes, this is exciting! (I don’t imagine, however, that all of the government agencies are as excited about this direction as we are at the Center).
The Center for Plain Language is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization. We help organizations create information that’s easier to understand.
If you’re reading this, you are probably a pretty big enthusiast for plain language and are promoting the cause in some way or other. Thank you for that! Here’s a way you can help the cause even more – as a Board Member for the Center for Plain Language.
We’re holding elections next month for a number of openings on our corporate board and are looking for people with a passion for Plain Language.
About
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 […]
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.”