Essentials of Plain Language

Don’t let fear of Plain Language scare you away from Katherine Spivey’s (photo) class on Halloween.

Do you dread writing? Do you look with horror on the prospect of writing content for websites, blogs, newsletters, articles, press releases, or email? Is your trash can a graveyard of dead drafts?

Join me this Halloween to learn the magic that will dispel these writing fears!

If your audience is the public—citizens or customers — then the Plain Writing Act of 2010 applies to you. The law says that the federal government must use plain language in any document that:

• Is necessary for obtaining any federal government benefit or service or filing taxes
• Provides information about an federal government benefit or service
• Explains to the public how to comply with a requirement that the federal government administers or enforces

That’s a big job. How do you get there? It may have been years since your last writing class. And what does plain language mean, anyway?

On October 31, 2012, at 2-3 p.m. EDT, GSA’s Digital Gov University will offer a free webinar,  “Essentials of Plain Language”. Join us to learn about the high points of plain writing:

• Plain writing principles
• Strategies and tactics for making content plain
• Before-and-after examples
• How the Plain Writing Act of 2010 affects government agencies
• Where to get additional plain language training and resources

Want to learn more?

See the Federal Plain Language Guidelines, and Howto.gov for  information on how to use plain language in writing for the web.