About
…Celebrate best examples of plain language and design with annual ClearMark Awards (since 2010) Mission statement We champion clear communication so people and organizations can thrive. Vision for the future…
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…
Webinar: Listening to the Legends
…the Center’s ClearMark Awards. She was a key member of the development of the ISO Plain Language Standard and is currently working with others on a standard for Evaluation Methods….
The Plain Game Demo: The Most Fun You’ll Ever Learn
…which Thomson Reuters acquired in 2011. Christopher also has these professional connections with the Center: He emceed the Center’s ClearMark Awards at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. in…
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…
Federal Plain Language Report Card
…Center uses to judge the annual Clearmark Awards. What else is new this year? We are not issuing a “Compliance” grade. In the past we have assigned a grade for…
The role of plain language in ethics: A conversation with an author
…Language board, and Senior Vice President for Consumer Experience at Healthwise. Russell Willerton, Ph.D., teaches technical communication at Boise State University. He was a judge for the 2015 ClearMark awards….
Building a plain language culture in the US Government
…over 2013: Nearly all of the 22 departments we reviewed fulfilled the primarily administrative requirements of the Act. More importantly, the Writing grades (and increasing number of ClearMark Plain Writing…
Honoring Karen Sokohl: Advocate, Colleague, and Friend
…family and friends. She is deeply missed. In honor of Karen’s commitment to plain language, we introduced the Sokohl Award at the 2025 ClearMark Awards. The award recognizes an individual…
2013
Grand ClearMark Award Winner March of Dimes – See entry Original Documents US Energy Information Administration Year: 2013 Type: Original documents Link: 2012 EIA Writing Style guide March of Dimes…
On the event of Annetta’s “retirement”
…strategically, and working harder to advocate for plain language. On behalf of the Center, Dr. Cheek led and collaborated on initiatives that: Established the ClearMark Awards to recognize good writing…
Top 10 Plain Language Resolutions for 2016
…Submit your entries to the ClearMark Awards and travel to DC in May 2016 to pick up your prize! Floss Flossing is just too good to replace. Besides, you can’t…
America’s Plain Language authority condemns reported CDC changes
…on a government agency that won twice at the 2017 ClearMark Awards — which recognize North America’s best plain language work —is unacceptable. We should be encouraging clear government communication,…
Brief History of the U.S. Federal Plain Language Movement
…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…
Why should you care about bad forms?
…the entire set of forms for the federal bankruptcy system, creating the Social Security Statement, and devising innovative IRS forms. She has won two ClearMark awards for legal documents. …