plain language

Plain English? What Are You Talking About?

Plain English? What Are You Talking About?

“Plain English refers to the writing and setting out of essential information in a way that gives a co-operative, motivated person a good chance of understanding it at first reading, and in the same sense that the writer meant it to be understood.” Cutts, M. (2013). Oxford Guide to Plain English. Oxford, England: Oxford University(…)

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Writing: Putting Yourself in the Reader’s Seat

Writing: Putting Yourself in the Reader’s Seat

It’s often said that the first step to writing well is to imagine yourself as the reader. Whether you’re writing an article for a magazine, a memo for your colleagues, or a short advertisement on Craigslist, before you start, stop and think about your typical reader. Picture your reader actually reading the piece you are planning(…)

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Shakespeare in the Language of Bureaucracy

Shakespeare in the Language of Bureaucracy

The Plain English Foundation has some terrific examples that show what plain language looks like. It also has information that explains what plain language isn’t. Here are some of the characteristics of bureaucratic government language listed on their web site: Long, complex words Long, unwieldy sentences Impenetrable jargon Passive voice Unnecessary verbiage Padding and pointless detail It(…)

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Redundant Words

Redundant Words

You can tighten up your writing by getting rid of unneeded words. Here are a few examples: Advance planning. Just say planning. Isn’t all planning done in advance? Past experience. Past adds nothing to your sentence. Absolutely essential. It’s either essential or it isn’t. What’s the difference between essential and absolutely essential? Predict in advance.(…)

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Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarians Take Over

Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarians Take Over

Writers who are pressed for time sometimes make hilarious mistakes — particularly when they are writing headlines. It is important to check your writing to make sure that your sentences are unambiguous. Here are a few examples of ambiguity: Kids Make Nutritious Snacks Iraqi Head Seeks Arms Milk Drinkers Are Turning to Powder Panda Mating(…)

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Design — Less Is Better

Design — Less Is Better

Dieter Rams is a German industrial engineer who is famous for his ten principles of good design. The tenth principle is “Good design is as little design as possible. Less, but better – because it concentrates on the essential aspects, and the products are not burdened with non-essentials. Back to purity, back to simplicity.” I have recently(…)

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