What is plain English?
Plain English writing is clear, concise, well structured, and appropriate to the reader. Plain English makes it easy for people to do business with you!
When you use plain English you:
- use precise, straightforward language that is familiar to your readers and appropriate to their needs
- avoid jargon, clichés, tired or overused phrases
- write so your readers understand what you want them to know, or to do, the first time they read your words
- make sure layout and presentation support readability.
Do you already write in plain English?
Here’s a quick test: can your document be read and understood in a single reading? Does your reader respond as you intended, or do they need to contact you for clarification? Writing in plain English is an advanced skill that shows you are committed to communicating clearly.
If you’d like to add clarity and polish to your organisation’s communication we suggest a plain English culture-change project. It’s a 2-year project that brings outstanding, long-term results.
More about Plain English culture-change projects
Have you heard of the WriteMark?
The WriteMark plain English standard is New Zealand’s own document quality mark. It is promoted and administered by Write Group.
WriteMark assessors check that your document conveys information as clearly, concisely, and appropriately as possible. The assessors check your document’s structure, content, language, grammar, consistency, layout, and presentation.
Displaying a WriteMark shows that your work has been independently recognised as having achieved a plain English standard.
If you believe in plain English and have an important message you want to get across, make sure your documentation carries the WriteMark, New Zealand's plain English standard.
Write is proud to sponsor the WriteMark New Zealand Plain English Awards.
Visit the Plain English Awards website
Visit the WriteMark website
View the Gobbledygook movie
Plain English writing workshops
StyleWriter — plain English editing software
Plain English links
The business benefits of plain English
Plain English articles (on the WriteMark website)
