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


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Tips & Tools> Guidance> Guidelines Table of Contents> Think about your audience

Think about your audience


One of the most popular plain language myths is that you have to "dumb down" your content so that everyone everywhere can read it. That's not true. The first rule of plain language is: write for your audience. Use language your audience knows and feels comfortable with. Take your audience's current level of knowledge into account. Don't write for an 8th grade class if your audience is composed of PhD candidates, small business owners, working parents or immigrants. Only write for 8th graders if your audience is, in fact, an 8th grade class.

Make sure you know who your audience is – don't guess or assume.
PL Guidelines

Think about your audience

    Identify your audience and write to them
    Address separate audiences separately

Organize

Write your document

Write for the web

Test

 
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