Plain language writing techniques

Table of contents

  1. Plain language writing techniques
    1. Eight Plain Writing Techniques
    2. Activity 2: Apply plain language techniques for readability

Reader-Centered Organization

  • Design features:
    1. headers
    2. tables
    3. lists
  • Short sentences and paragraphs
  • Avoid noun strings of more than three items
  • Use pronouns like you, we, and they.
  • Active voice
  • Avoid hidden verbs
  • Consistent terms, avoiding jargon or acronyms
  • Utilize common, everyday words

Sometimes, you can only apply a few of these techniques due to real-world constraints. In some situations, content must be published without extensive editing or kept the same after stakeholder approval.

Eight Plain Writing Techniques

  1. Reader-centered organization: Focus on what the reader needs
  2. Utilize design features such as headers, tables, and lists to break up large blocks of text on a page
  3. Use short sentences and paragraphs
  4. Incorporate pronouns to establish a connection with the reader
  5. Employ the active voice
  6. Use verbs instead of nouns to clearly indicate who performs the action
  7. Maintain consistency in terms, avoiding jargon or acronyms
  8. Prefer common, everyday words over complex or technical vocabulary

Tip:

Watch out for signs of wordy writing, including big blocks of text, excessive use of jargon, long lists of adjectives, and lengthy noun phrases.

Activity 2: Apply plain language techniques for readability

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