Expertise and clarity People sometimes assume that plain language principles only apply to simple content. They think that a technical audience will not appreciate reading about complicated systems or theories in plain language. Experience has taught me the opposite is true. The more complex information is, the greater the benefit from sharing it plainly. Have … Continue reading Making the Complex Plain

The three goals of content structure If you'll remember the definition in my first blog of this series, plain language communication makes it easy for people to: Find the information they need. Understand the information. Put that information to use. Source: Plain Language Association International. (2021). What is plain language? https://plainlanguagenetwork.org/plain-language/what-is-plain-language/ You might assume that … Continue reading Structuring Information Plainly

Big shoes to fill The best written information is of no use if it isn't what people need. It's not enough to be accurate and clear. People need to find what they're looking for easily. Step one in any writing project, big or small, is to put yourself in the shoes of your readers. What … Continue reading Who Are Your Readers?

The language of sharing ideasPeople who work in complex and highly technical fields sometimes mistake the intention of plain language. They worry that they are being asked to dumb down their message, that they won't be allowed to capture the nuances of their field, and they might sound less knowledgeable. But specialized language is perfectly … Continue reading The Benefits of Plain Language