Plain Language

Overview

Plain language writing is part of ethical research in accessibility, namely to share research with the accessibility community.

Best practices for Plain Language writing

• Use simple words
• Use positive language
• Use short paragraphs
• Use short sentences
• Avoid jargon
• Use active voice
• Use present tense
• Use examples
• Use headers
• Use transition words

Here are the federal plain language guidelines. Here is an excellent guide from the Autism Self Advocacy Network. You can check your writing with free online tools such as Hemingway and ReadabilityFormulas.com. CREATE also has a web app created as part of ongoing research on plain language which you can use (and optionally give us feedback on).

Typical Handin for this Competency

• Original text (unsimplified)
• Simplified text
• A list of the guidelines you wish to be assessed on, and an example of something you changed to meet each of them. You need at least five to be assessed as "excellent"