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How do you write a plain English guide?

How do you write a plain English guide?

How to write in plain English

  1. Keep sentences short. The average sentence length for clear writing is 15 to 20 words.
  2. Use the active voice. The active voice is all about verbs.
  3. Be personal. In plain English, pronouns are your pals.
  4. Use everyday words.
  5. Think about structure.

What is a plain English document?

Plain English means analyzing and deciding what information investors need to make informed decisions, before words, sentences, or paragraphs are considered. A plain English document uses words economically and at a level the audience can understand. Its sentence structure is tight. Its tone is welcoming and direct.

What are the four basic requirements for plain English identified by the SEC?

The SEC’s “Plain English” Rule for a Registration Statement

  • Definite, concrete, everyday language;
  • short sentences;
  • active voice;
  • bullet lists for complex material;
  • no legal jargon;
  • no highly technical business terms;
  • no double negatives (or “multiple” negatives for those truly awful drafting attorneys).

What is meant by plain English?

Plain language (also called plain writing or plain English) is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it. Writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience.

How do you write in plain style?

Plain style is reader-friendly because it’s clear, concise, and precise; it uses short, action-driven sentences free of jargon to make language accessible and easy to understand.

Why is plain English?

Plain language means readers understand your documents more quickly. Readers call less often for explanations. They make fewer errors filling out forms. They comply more accurately and quickly with requirements.

What is the Plain Language Initiative?

The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires federal agencies to write “clear government communication that the public can understand and use.” President Obama also emphasized the importance of establishing “a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration” in his Jan.

Is plain English capitalized?

If it’s used as a noun, that is if “plain” is the only adjective modifying the noun “English,” no hyphen is necessary and “English,” a proper noun, stays capitalized, as in “They spoke plain English.” If you’re using it as a compound adjective, that is if the term is being used to modify a separate noun, the hyphen is …

Why do we use plain English?