President Clinton's memorandum on Plain Language in Government Writing
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
JUNE 1, 1998
MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES
SUBJECT: Plain Language in Government Writing
The Vice President and I have made reinventing the Federal Government a top priority of my Administration. We are determined to make the Government more responsive, accessible, and understandable in its communications with the public.
The Federal Government's writing must be in plain language. By using plain language, we send a clear message about what the Government is doing, what it requires, and what services it offers. Plain language saves the Government and the private sector time, effort, and money.
Plain language requirements vary from one document to another, depending on the intended audience. Plain language documents have logical organization, easy-to-read design features, and use:
- common, everyday words, except for necessary technical terms:
- "you" and other pronouns:
- the active voice; and
- short sentences.
To ensure the use of plain language, I direct you to do the following:
-
By October 1, 1998, use plain
language in all new
documents, other than regulations, that explain how to
obtain a benefit or service or how to comply with a
requirement you administer or enforce. For example,
these documents may include letters, forms, notices,
and instructions. By January 1, 2002, all such
documents created prior to October 1, 1998 must also
be in plain language. -
By January 1, 1999, use plain
language in all
proposed and final rulemakings published in the
Federal Register, unless you proposed the rule before
that date. You should consider rewriting existing
regulations in plain language when you have the
opportunity and resources to do so.
The National Partnership for Reinventing Government will issue guidance to help you comply with these directives and to explain more fully the elements of plain language. You should also use customer feedback and common sense to guide your plain language efforts.
I ask the independent agencies to comply with these
directives.
This memorandum does not confer any right or benefit
enforceable by law against the United States or its
representatives. The Director of the Office of Management
and Budget will publish this memorandum in the Federal
Register.
