plain english rewording

W riting in plain English means writing clearly using everyday language. Plain English writing is not dumbed down. When you use plain English, it shows respect for your readers: you have created a document they can use and understand. Plain English writing:

• • uses active voice rather than passive voice (He rented the house not The house was rented by him)

• • uses everyday words that most readers will understand

• • refers to the reader as ‘you’ (Give your key to the manager)

• • refers to your organisation as ‘we’ (We will post the form to you)

• • avoids jargon

• • uses technical words where they are needed

• • is informal where appropriate

• • keeps sentences short and to the point

• • removes unnecessary words

• • follows a logical structure

• • answers your client’s questions

• • avoids repetition.

Why use plain English?

Safety – tell people clearly how to avoid danger.
Understanding – reach a wide audience.
Respect – help clients and customers to understand your message.
Clarity – reduce the need to explain yourself.

You may be writing an instruction manual, website text, advertising copy, a recipe book, a corporate report or a menu. I can help you reword your document so that as many people as possible can read and understand it.