Plain English is a flexible and efficient writing style that readers can understand in one reading. It combines clear, concise expression, an effective structure and good document design.
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| 1. | Always consider your readers and adapt your writing to their needs rather than your personal preferences. |
| 2. | Clearly identify your main message and don’t bury it in the detail. |
| 3. | Structure your documents to put the most important information first, followed by the details. |
| 4. | Pay attention to design and layout as much as to the language. |
| 5. | Choose a formal but friendly tone that is neither too hip nor too heavy. |
| 6. | Use short, familiar words where they match your meaning, and don’t dress up the text with long words just to sound impressive. |
| 7. | Prefer the active voice (‘I think you can finish’) rather than the passive voice (‘It is suggested consideration be given to the finishing of’). |
| 8. | Be ruthless on clutter, minimising words and details that add little value. |
| 9. | Write with an average sentence length between 15-20 words, but vary individual sentences between 10 and 35 words. |
| 10. | Always check your text carefully for errors in spelling, grammar and punctuation.
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Plain English writing improves:
- professional communication
- workplace productivity
- access to services and information.
The Plain English Foundation offers
training workshops that can be tailored to the individual needs of your staff and organisation. We also offer plain English
editing and engineering services.