Guidance on Using Plain Language

The Plain Writing Act of 2010 defines plain language as: Writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience (plainlanguage.gov).

The following resources provide information and guidance on how to utilize plain language strategies to help ensure most people are able to access information being provided to them.

Plainlanguage.gov: This website provides step by step guidance on how to develop materials in plain language. It also provides training materials and research to better understand the definition and purpose of plain language.

Tools to determine readability and lexical levels of text: These resources can be used to ensure that information is written at the readability or lexical levels of the targeted audience.