What is Plain Language?
Plain language is communication that is easy to understand the first time you read or hear it.
Plain language-
- Is a basic right. People deserve to understand information that affects their lives.
- Creates audience-focused content. Your content specifically addresses their needs.
- Supports transparency. Audiences can access information the government shares.
- Supports accessibility and inclusivity. Everyone can understand and participate!
How People Read
Reading is a skill we learn to communicate. Because of that, people have different reading abilities.
- Most of the US reads at an 8th grade level.
- To fully understand something, people need to understand 98% of the words.
- Readers remember information 38% better when it has visuals.
- Stress can make it harder to read and understand things.
People also read in different ways.
- Some skim the whole document for key points and action steps.
- Others scan only headlines, bullets, calls to action.
- And some will read it all.
Thinking about how people read and how well they understand can help you write better.
Writing for Paper vs. Screens
Writing for print and digital is different. People read slower on screens, get tired faster, and lose focus easier. It helps to use short sentences, short paragraphs, lots of space, and pictures. This makes your writing easier to understand.