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


Powered by Google

 
Home
PL Law
PL Guidelines
Examples
Examples DB
Tips & Tools
Popular Topics
Resources
PL Websites
PL Legacy
Why Plain Language? > Arguments in Favor of PL

Arguments in Favor of Plain Language

There have been several traditional arguments against plain language—plain language is dumbing down, plain language can’t be used with technical subjects, plain language oversimplifies, plain language is not precise.

By now, however, the arguments against plain language have been refuted. This page links to some of the key articles and other items supporting using plain language.

External links are shown with a "external link icon".

It's the law! Adobe Acrobat Reader icon

A landmark article from 1995 supporting plain language is Joe Kimble’s Answering the Critics of Plain Language, from The Scribes Journal of Legal Writing. We provide both a synopsis of the article and a link to the entire document Adobe Acrobat Reader icon.

In his 2000 article The Great Myth that Plain Language is not Precise Adobe Acrobat Reader icon external link icon, also in the Scribes Journal, Joe Kimble addresses the criticism that using plain language prevents you from being precise.

In Signs of Intelligible Life external link icon, written in 2000, Lily Whiteman shows us that many major institutions in this country favor plain language as a communication style.

In her second article on this subject, also from 2000, Wanted: Articulate Scientists external link icon, Lily Whiteman describes how more and more scientists are learning how to reach wider audiences. The article outlines the benefits you will get if you use a plain style.

Gwynne Kostin, a federal employee and blogger, weighs in on the need for plain language to advance President Obama's goal of transparencyexternal link icon.

John Klotsche, an attorney who was a political appointee in IRS during the Bush administration, is a strong advocate for plain language, especially in tax matters. Read his blog, "plain tax talk."external link icon

Bob Brewin, who writes for the Government Executive (and blogs at What's Brewin'external link icon, wrote a post lamenting the lack of plain language in the Department of Defenseexternal link icon.

 
Other Pages:
Why Plain Language?

Benefits

Arguments in Favor of
Plain Language

Testimonials

Usefulness in Web-Writing

Related Topics

Before-and-After examples show the power of plain language.

Effect of Plain Language on Organizational Performance

Elements of Plain Language

 
Home|About Us|Contact Us|Privacy and Other Policies|USA.gov|HowTo.gov|Usability.gov
 
Technical support for this website is provided by the Federal Aviation Administration
PLAIN develops and maintains the content of this site

Download Adobe Acrobat Reader.external link