No matter your role or function in government, clear and concise writing matters. From internal projects to constituent outreach, it’s critical to communicate your message so that it’s easy to understand This new worksheet explains what plain language is, why it matters, and how to use it in your own writing. You’ll learn: The trueRead… Read more »
You could have the most sophisticated service delivery model in the country – but if your constituents can’t understand your messaging or information, your services have just been rendered useless. Plain language is an absolutely core component of effective CX, but is it prioritized at your organization? Is it incorporated throughout every CX program ofRead… Read more »
To get buy-in for cybersecurity initiatives, don’t talk tech — speak simply.
Using complicated language makes it difficult for agencies to communicate effectively with the people they serve, and creates barriers to equity. New federal legislation, however, would require agencies to use plain and clear wording.
If you need a refresher on what plain language looks like in practice, this post offers some quick tips and best practices that you can incorporate into your own writing.
Don’t let ego get in the way of clear communication–yours OR theirs. Writers and editors are subject matter experts, too!
You may not realize it, but your favorite fiction or shows can also teach us a lot about effective government communications, and more specifically about plain language.
Simplifying language while preserving the technical underpinnings of a message can be a challenge — especially when you get pushback from your more technically-minded colleagues. Here are some things to emphasize to make sure plain language stays alive and well at your agency.
The only way to test if content is usable or plain is to test it. It’s not the writer or editor–or the program manager–who determines whether content is plain or usable; it’s the user.
Which federal agencies should you look to as models of plain language? Which ones are getting it wrong and why?