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Clear Communication: An NIH Health Literacy Initiative
Plain Language: an NIH Clear Communication Initiative
![]() Plain language is grammatically correct language that includes complete sentence structure and accurate word usage. Plain language is not unprofessional writing or a method of "dumbing down" or "talking down" to the reader. Writing that is clear and to the point helps improve communication and takes less time to read and understand. Clear writing tells the reader exactly what the reader needs to know without using unnecessary words or expressions. Communicating clearly is its own reward and saves time and money. It also improves reader response to messages. Using plain language avoids creating barriers that set us apart from the people with whom we are communicating. Part of the NIH mission is to reach all Americans with health information they can use and to communicate in a way that helps people to easily understand research results. The NIH fully supports the Plain Language initiative, which has its origins in a Federal directive that requires agencies to incorporate plain language elements in the development of communications materials for the public. The NIH is committed to the use of plain language in all new documents written for the public, other government entities, and fellow workers. Celebrating Plain Language at NIHHealth literacy incorporates a range of abilities: reading, comprehending, and analyzing information; decoding instructions, symbols, charts, and diagrams; weighing risks and benefits; and, ultimately, making decisions and taking action. The concept of health literacy also extends to the materials, environments, and challenges specifically associated with disease prevention and health promotion. The NIH Office of Communication and Public Liaison leads an agency-wide “Clear Communication” Initiative. Its aim is to cultivate a growing health literacy movement by increasing information sharing of NIH educational products, research, lessons learned, and research in the area of health literacy. Part of the “Clear Communication” program is the NIH Plain Language Initiative and annual Plain Language Award program, which recognizes excellence in NIH Plain Language communications. NIH employees may nominate any type of NIH communication product—letters, brochures, Web sites, press releases, scientific papers, and reports. NIH also wants to recognize internal documents, such as memos, forms, newsletters, and manuals. The 2007-2008 NIH Plain Language Award Ceremony was held Tuesday, April 15, 2008, 2:00 p.m. Lipsett Auditorium, Bethesda, Maryland and featured a presentation by Jon Spelman, world-renowned storyteller and teacher. The annual NIH Plain Language Award ceremony honors outstanding NIH communication products including revised websites, fact sheets, multi-media presentations, and other materials, including items designed for Spanish-speaking audiences. The 2008 Program booklet is available at http://www.nih.gov/icd/od/ocpl/resources/clearcommunication/Plain_Language_Program_2008.pdf. (PDF - 280 KB) To view the 2007-2008 event, see http://videocast.nih.gov/. For archived awards information: http://www.nih.gov/icd/od/ocpl/resources/clearcommunication/plarchive/index.htm Tips for Using Plain Language:Certain hallmarks characterize plain language. These include common, everyday words, except for necessary technical terms. Other hallmarks include the use of personal pronouns; the active voice; logical organization; and easy-to-read and understand design features, such as bullets and tables. 1. Engage the reader.
3. Display Material Correctly Appearance is an important aspect of clear communication. If a document is pleasing to the eye, it will be more likely to attract your reader's attention. Appearance can also be an aid to the reader, improving comprehension and retention. There are four main aspects of appearance:
4. Evaluate Your Document To ensure that you are communicating clearly, evaluate the document or have another person read it and offer suggestions for clarification. Look over the document for:
Where Can I Learn More?
Contact InformationFor more information, contact the NIH Plain Language staff at: plainlanguage@od.nih.gov Plain Language Awards
The Plain Language 2008-2009 Awards submission cycle for products published between September 16, 2007 and September 15, 2008 is now closed. Thank you for your interest.
This page was last reviewed on
November 12, 2008
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