U.S. Department of Justice
:: HOME > Overview > Plain Language

Plain Language

Related Topics

Style Guides, Writing Tools, and Training

Latest Institute Publications

more »
The National Institute of Corrections is committed to providing its audiences with clear, easy-to-read materials. In alignment with these efforts is the Plain Writing Act of 2010, which mandates that federal agencies communicate with the public using plain language and best writing practices. NIC has been doing this since its inception, and now that such standards are law, we have created this webpage to keep you informed of our ongoing efforts.

As the largest federal repository for corrections-related materials, NIC, its training, and its wealth of information play a major role in contributing to public safety. NIC provides its audiences with publications, classroom training, e-courses, Web-based materials, and multimedia on a broad range of topics in corrections. Using these tools, local areas can improve corrections programming, and individuals can learn how to hone existing skills. All audiences will find materials that can help them work through the implementation of evidence-based practices, which will in turn positively impact corrections outcomes.

With so much depending on the information you receive, the clarity of information and your access to that information is a major priority. NIC strives each day to communicate with audiences in ways that will be most effective. The use of plain language is just one of the many ways we achieve that goal.

If you have questions or comments about NIC’s use of plain language or have suggestions about how we might continue to improve the services we provide to you, please contact us.

Writing for NIC


In addition to following the rules of plain language, cooperative agreement awardees and others who author materials for NIC should consult the NIC style guide as a primary resource for learning more about the writing style, citation standards, and preferred spellings to use in NIC documents.

In addition, authors should consult the U.S. Government Printing Office Style Manual and the Chicago Manual of Style respectively as second and third sources for information not found in the NIC style guide.

The NIC writer/editor is available to assist with all other questions not covered in resources listed here.

Share Page

Recommended Reading

Date Title Type
2008
Document preview
General Guidelines for Cooperative Agreements
National Institute of Corrections (Washington, DC).
These Guidelines “are meant to serve as a guide to assist recipients of awards from the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) in fulfilling their responsibilities for the management of cooperative agreements” (p.iv). This publication includes the following sections: introduction; financial and performance reports; general cooperative agreement administration; allowability of costs; accounting systems and financial records; and “Guidelines for Preparing and Submitting Manuscripts for Publicatio... Read More
PDF
82 p.
2009
Document preview
Principles of Investigations and Report Writing: Criminal Investigations
By Foster, Raymond E.. Hi Tech Criminal Justice Online (San Dimas, CA).
This presentation on the writing of a criminal report is very useful if you need some help on creating an effective report. Topics discussed include: basic legal beginning of an investigation; investigation basics; basics of report writing skills; quality; not taking; tell the story; write in first person; missing information; write in chronological order; write in the past tense; antecedent; spelling and punctuation; use an active voice; subject/verb agreement; subjects joined by “and”; subject... Read More
PPT
50 pages
[+] feedback