Plain Language: Federal Agencies’ Report Card

Plain language in government is clear communication that the public can understand and use.

The results are in–many of us need to brush up on our plain language. The Center for Plain Language recently evaluated 12 federal agencies and their ability to write in plain language as required by the 2010 Plain Writing Act.

The good news is most agencies know the basics.

The bad news is agencies need more effective enforcement and ways to share information about plain language.

How Much Do You Know about Plain Language?

Use this quiz to become familiar with plain language.

True or False?

1. Plain language is the same as plain English or plain writing.
2. Writers should not use bulleted lists lists, and headers and  paragraphs should be long.
3. Using plain language means using pronouns where possible. For example, instead of saying “Submitting applications”, use “How do I apply?”
4. Avoid writing sentences that start with “It is,” “Here is”, “Here are”, “There is” or “There are”.
5. You should use “must”  when writing requirements, policies, or laws.

How Do You Score?

1. True -  Plain language, plain English, and plain writing all mean the same: clear communication.
2. False – Plain language uses shorter paragraphs, outlines, charts, simple headers, and all aspects that make it easy to find and understand information.
3. True – Pronouns create relationships between you and the reader.
4. True- This sentence construction puts important information (subject and verb) into the sentence’s middle.
5. True – Do not use “shall” or “will”.  These verbs mean compliance is optional.

More about Plain Language

Want to know more?

Check out HowTo.gov.

Prefer an audio, a transcript, and a PowerPoint deck?  Howto.gov has on-demand webinars.