Plain Language: Improving Communications from the Federal Government to the Public


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Why Plain Language?

We're all busy people. We don't want to waste a lot of time "translating" difficult, wordy documents. Plain-language writing saves time. If we save time, we save money. Plain language is good customer service and makes life easier for the public.

Plain language means readers understand your documents more quickly. Readers call less often for explanations. They make fewer errors filling out forms. They comply more accurately and quickly with requirements. If your customers don't understand your documents, you may have to:

  • Answer phone calls
  • Write explanatory letters
  • Write an explanatory document
  • Litigate

Though no one knows the total cost of poor communication, the information we do have suggests it's high. Writing in plain language isn't easy, but it pays off in positive results.

Benefits
Plain language benefits readers and writers. It doesn’t just cut reading time, it also saves you and your readers time and money.

Arguments in Favor of Plain Language
Many writing experts in different fields, including legal writing, support the use of plain language.

Testimonials
People from all walks of life appreciate and support material written in plain language.

Usefulness in Web-Writing
Plain language is even more important in writing for the web than for paper documents.

 
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