Plain English

Plain English

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Plain English refers to a style of writing and communication that emphasizes clarity, brevity, and the avoidance of complex language. It is designed to make information accessible and understandable to a wide audience, regardless of their level of expertise or education.

History

The movement towards Plain English began in the 20th century as a response to the overly complex and jargon-laden language often found in legal, technical, and bureaucratic documents. The goal was to make such documents more accessible to the general public. In the United States, the Plain Writing Act of 2010 was a significant legislative step towards promoting the use of Plain English in government documents.

Principles

Plain English is guided by several key principles:

• Clarity: Use clear and straightforward language. Avoid jargon, technical terms, and complex sentence structures.
• Brevity: Be concise. Use the fewest words necessary to convey the message.
• Structure: Organize information logically. Use headings, bullet points, and lists to break up text and highlight key points.
• Tone: Use a tone that is appropriate for the audience and purpose. Avoid overly formal or informal language.
• Active Voice: Prefer active voice over passive voice to make sentences more direct and vigorous.

Applications

Plain English is used in various fields, including:

• Legal Writing: To make legal documents such as contracts and statutes more understandable to non-lawyers.
• Technical Writing: To simplify complex technical information for users and consumers.
• Healthcare Communication: To ensure patients understand medical instructions and information.
• Government and Public Policy: To make public documents and policies accessible to citizens.

Benefits

The use of Plain English has several benefits:

• Improved Comprehension: Readers can understand the information more easily and quickly.
• Increased Accessibility: Information becomes accessible to a wider audience, including those with lower literacy levels.
• Enhanced Efficiency: Reduces the time and effort required to read and understand documents.
• Reduced Errors: Clear communication reduces the likelihood of misunderstandings and errors.

Criticism

While Plain English is widely advocated, it has faced some criticism:

• Oversimplification: Critics argue that simplifying language can sometimes lead to the loss of important nuances and details.
• Resistance to Change: Some professionals are resistant to changing traditional writing styles, especially in fields like law and academia.

Also see

• Technical Writing
• Legal Writing
• Health Literacy
• Plain Language Movement
• Readability

References

• [1] Plain Writing Act of 2010, United States Government.
• [2] "The Elements of Plain Language", Plain Language Association International.