What's Plain Language? 

Isn't it just plain English?

"Plain language" is language that is understandable to its readers. "Plain English" is the common term but plain language is inclusive and suitable for countries where more than one language is spoken.

Plain language refers to a particular approach to communications. Usually people expect a definition of plain language that describes writing of a certain style. That is a narrow perspective on plain language. Plain language is about the process: whether we are discussing the process involved in producing effective documents or the process involved in implementing an effective communications strategy.

Why would businesses or government bother to use plain language?

1) They are either losing money because of poorly written documents or gaining of money because of well-written information

2) Plain language use affects whether they are losing or gaining customers.

3) They must use plain language to comply with laws or regulations.

4) Clear writing in instructions, labels, and warnings helps them avoid legal liability.

5) Because people like it, it creates a good impression of corporate citizens!

Wikipedia on Plain Language 

Plain Language

All the information that survives the rough and tumble wars of posting on Wikipedia

Plain Language Movement

a short report

Plain English

Apparently some facts are disputed

Plain Language WRITING 

Plain Language

Free resources on writing in plain language. Articles often referenced in college courses on business writing.

PlainLanguageAssociationIntl

This site provides free plain-language articles, writing tutorials, Web links, news, networking opportunities, professional support, and e-mail discussion group. PLAIN membership, connections with consultants, and professional conferences.

Plain Language in Government

In the United States, a government-wide group of volunteers working to improve communications from the federal government to the public.

Center for Plain Language

A nonprofit, U.S. tax-exempt membership organization promoting the use of plain language in the public and private sectors.

PLAIN Government Links

Government actions to promote plain language.

Wikipedia

Plain language explained

Making HIPAA Privacy Notices More Readable

leads to the Plain Language Principles and Thesaurus

Readability and Useability 

Plain Language and the Web

Janice (Ginny) Redish is the mother of useabilty. This is her presentation to a plain language conference. It concerns plain language philosophy applied to the design and writing of web sites.

Readability Lens

An introduction to readability and the resources: "Readability is a basic design goal for anything meant to be read by a general population."

Visual Literacy and Document Design 

Visualization and design are an early part of the process in plain language

Squidoo lens on Information Design

Dave Gray of Xplane maintains the lens on information design is a module in visual thinking school, a course designed to help you learn how to think and communicate better using the visual part of your brain.

Design at PlainLanguage.com

at article on document design and text layout

Edward Tufte

Tufte is a genius and expert on visual information issues.

Visual Literacy

Learn the skills of visual literacy in order to apply them to communications. And connect with the International Visial Literacy Association.

CafePress 

BuildingRapport Store

Building Rapport

all the goodies for writers and plain language advocates

Building Rapport 

Cheryl Stephens' blog on clear and simple communication to build rapport between people

Fetching RSS feed... please stand by

Writing, Clear and Simple 

by Roy Jacobsen

10 principles for clear writing
By Roy Jacobsen

I was browsing in the local public library and a title caught my eye: The Technique of Clear Writing, by Robert Gunning. I wondered if this Gunning is the creator of the Gunning Fog Index, a method of testing the readability of text, and he apparently is...

"For clear effective writing, follow these 10 principles from the Gunning Formula of Readability.

Keep sentences short
Prefer the simple to the complex
Use the familiar word
Avoid unnecessary words
Put action in your verbs
Write as you talk
Use picturable terms
Tie in with reader's experience
Make full use of variety
Write to express, not to impress"

Good, clear, effective writing is more than hewing to a list like that, but you won't go far wrong by starting there.

Fetching RSS feed... please stand by

Commentaries and other sources 

Conversational writing kicks formal writing's ass

a post from the blog, Creating Passionate Users, by Kathy Sierra

Legal Writing

My Squidoo Lens on legal writing and how to make it better.

General Writing Support 

If you need guidance on grammar, style, general writing issues.

Writing, by Stuart Duncan

some general writing links

Great Stuff on Amazon 

Resources on plain language and plain English