Using plain English builds trust with your readers.
And if that's not enough of a reason, it also can help
cut costs, save jobs, and avoid wasted time.
How do I know if I need
it?
If you have a
document (or are planning one) that may result in
misunderstandings, may be misinterpreted, or may
cause general confusion in your readers, plain
English will probably help clear it up.
Should everything I
write be in plain English?
Not necessarily.
Using plain English is about writing appropriately
for a specific audience. It is most important when
your readers are likely to misunderstand what you
have written. If a misinterpretation would risk your
reader's safety, health, or security, then using
plain language is crucial.
Won't I sacrifice
precision in my document?
No. Using plain
English does not mean that you are eliminating any
information. You are merely presenting it in such a
way that your reader will understand it more
clearly.
Will it make my
document shorter?
Not necessarily. One
of the reasons we use jargon is to save space, so
sometimes you will have to use more words, though
they are simpler, to get your message across.
