Plain English (also called layman's terms or plain language) is a style of communication designed to be understood by anyone regardless of their familiarity with a topic. It avoids rare words, complex jargon, and euphemisms to ensure the reader can act upon the information. This movement prioritizes accessibility and clear understanding over traditional, dense writing styles.
What is the Plain English Movement?
The movement is a collective effort to replace "gobbledygook" and academic or legal jargon with straightforward communication. It treats writing as a tool to transfer ideas from one mind to another as precisely as possible. Experts in the movement argue that even complex subjects like law or medicine can be communicated clearly to a non-expert audience.
Historically, the movement gained momentum after several high-level critiques of traditional language. George Orwell criticized "ugly and inaccurate" English in 1946, while [Ernest Gowers published a guide to help officials avoid pompous writing in 1948] (The Complete Plain Words).
Why Plain English Movement matters
Using plain language leads to measurable improvements in safety, legal compliance, and user comprehension.
- Saves lives: Clarity in emergency services communication prevents fatal misunderstandings. An inquiry into the 2005 London bombings recommended that emergency services [always use plain English to avoid misunderstandings] (The Telegraph).
- Improves health outcomes: Clear medical instructions help patients with varied literacy levels make informed decisions. Research shows that [nearly half of Americans demonstrated limited literacy skills] (Journal of Public Health Policy) in the 1992 National Adult Literacy Survey.
- Reduces legal risk: Intelligible language is a legal requirement in many jurisdictions. For example, the 1999 [Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts regulations mandate "plain and intelligible" language] (BBC News).
- Increases comprehension: Simplified text significantly boosts retention. When standardized jury instructions were rewritten in plain language, [comprehension improved by 47%] (The Scribes Journal of Legal Writing).
How Plain English Movement works
The movement functions through advocacy groups and legislative mandates that force organizations to simplify their text. Professional bodies like the Plain English Campaign provide editing services and training to help organizations reach their audience.
In many sectors, the simplified approach follows a specific process: 1. Identification: Pinpoint jargon, noun-stacks, or complex synonyms (e.g., using "pacification" instead of "air bombardment"). 2. Redrafting: Rewriting the text into direct, active voice sentences. 3. Accreditation: Documents may receive a "Crystal Mark" to prove they meet clarity standards. 4. Codification: In the US, the [Plain Writing Act was signed as a federal requirement in 2010] (ABC News) to ensure cost-effective and easy-to-understand government regulations.
Best practices
Follow these principles to ensure content meets the standards used by movement leaders like NALA and the Plain English Campaign:
- Target the layman: Write for a person who has no prior expertise on the subject.
- Choose verbs over nouns: Do not use "perform an investigation;" use "investigate."
- Avoid technical jargon: Use simple synonyms for complex terms unless the technical term is absolutely necessary for legal accuracy.
- Use the active voice: State "who" is doing "what" to make the meaning immediate.
- Define terms clearly: If a complex word is required, provide an immediate definition in the text or via a link.
Common mistakes
Mistake: Assuming plain language is less precise or legally "weak." Fix: Use direct sentences that accurately reflect the duty or action required. The California Jury Instructions (CACI) successfully replaced technical definitions with direct commands without losing legal weight.
Mistake: Using formal metaphors or euphemisms to sound professional. Fix: State the fact directly. Avoid terms like "at all times" when "always" suffices.
Mistake: Overlooking "noun-stacks" or formal jargon in definitions. Fix: Break definitions into simple components. Do not define a "pedestrian" as inclusive of "motorized quadrangles" without explaining clearly what that means for the reader.
Examples
Legal writing example
- Traditional (BAJI): Every person using a public street or highway... has a duty to exercise ordinary care at all times to avoid placing himself or others in danger.
- Plain English (CACI): A person must use reasonable care in driving a vehicle. Drivers must keep a lookout for pedestrians, obstacles, and other vehicles.
Public information example
- Jargon: The pacification of the area involved the clearing of inhabitants from the countryside via incendiary measures.
- Plain English: Defenceless villages were bombarded, their huts set on fire, and the inhabitants driven out.
FAQ
What is the goal of the Plain English Movement?
The movement aims to ensure that everyone, regardless of their education or background, has access to clear and concise information. This is particularly important for public reports, legal contracts, and health information that affect daily life.
Is plain English the same as "dumbing down"?
No. Plain English focuses on providing information in a way that the reader can apprehend meaning "readily and precisely." It is a science of clarity, not a reduction of content. Critics sometimes argue it loses precision, but studies have refuted this by showing that clearer instructions lead to more accurate decision-making.
When did the movement begin?
The phrase "in plain English" dates back to the 16th century. However, the organized movement began to influence government and law in the mid 20th century. Notable benchmarks include [HM Treasury hiring Sir Ernest Gowers in 1948] (The Complete Plain Words) and the founding of the Plain English Campaign in 1979.
How do you measure if something is in plain English?
Organizations use tools like the Health Activities Literacy Scale (HALS) or seek certifications like the Crystal Mark. You can also measure the "comprehensibility" by asking readers to summarize the information. If they can only account for one third of the information, the text needs redrafting.
Are there laws requiring plain English?
Yes. In the United States, the [SEC adopted rules in 1998] (SEC Handbook) requiring companies to use plain English when registering securities. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 also mandates its use across all federal government agencies.
