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The Plain Language Initiative requires the use of plain language
in all new documents written for the public, other government
entities and fellow workers. Writing that is clear and to
the point helps improve communication between the government
and the public since clear material takes less time to read
and understand. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy
G. Thompson urges that all government documents use plain
English and avoid both jargon and highly technical language.
You should use plain language for all documents, presentations,
and electronic communications. First, let's look at the characteristics
of plain language.
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| Plain language is: |
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grammatically
correct language that includes complete sentence structure
and accurate word usage. |
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clear writing that tells the reader exactly what the
reader needs to know without unnecessary words or expressions.
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| Plain language is not: |
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unprofessional
writing. |
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a method of "dumbing down" or "talking down" to the
reader.
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| Certain hallmarks characterize plain language.
These include: |
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| Because part of the NIH mission is to reach
all Americans with health information they can use, we must
try to communicate in a way that helps people to easily understand
our research results. |
