Federal Plain Language Guidelines, March 2011
Download the Word or PDF version of the full Guidelines.
Introduction- Think about your audience
- Organize
- Organize to meet your readers' needs
- Address one person, not a group
- Use lots of useful headings
- Write short sections
- Write your document
- Words
- Verbs
- Use active voice
- Use the simplest form of a verb
- Avoid hidden verbs
- Use "must" to indicate requirements
- Use contractions when appropriate
- Nouns and pronouns
- Other word issues
- Sentences
- Write short sentences
- Keep subject, verb, and object close together
- Avoid double negatives and exceptions to exceptions
- Place the main idea before exceptions and conditions
- Place words carefully
- Paragraphs
- Have a topic sentence
- Use transition words
- Write short paragraphs
- Cover only one topic in each paragraph
- Other aids to clarity
- Write for the web
- How do people use the web?
- Write for your users
- Identify your users and their top tasks
- Write web content
- Repurpose print material for the web
- Avoid PDF overload
- Use plain-language techniques on the web
- Avoid meaningless formal language
- Write effective links
- Test