We've all heard lots about the importance of writing in plain English. However, what is a plain English document ?
Plain English is not:
- oversimplification of the language
- a patronising tone
- about banning new words or eliminating all long words
- necessarily easy !
Plain English documents are characterised by:
- shorter sentences
- more active verbs rather than passive expression
- using "I" and "we" rather than "it" or "he, she, they"
- easily understood words
- eliminating useless or superfluous words
- reducing nominalisations (e.g. "we discussed ..." and not "we had a discussion ...", "the Board decided ..." and not "a decision was taken by the Board")
- emphasising the positive.
Why do it ?
- faster to write (once you know what you're doing)
- faster to read
- your message is understood more often, more easily and in a friendlier way
- you will sound like the professional a client will want to hire.
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