Readers' Comments
Total Comments: 44
Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
House to Federal Employees: Write in "Plain Language"
Total Comments: 44
Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
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November 21, 2008
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Plain english?
VA
Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:54 AM
Post Reply
I am under the impression our new national language is Spanish.
Go to your local Home depot, Lowes or even some federal agencies.
Until we make English our national language, this will only be an exercise in futility.
Re: Plain english?
USDA
Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:50 AM
I don't see what Spanish speaking people have to do with documents published in English.
Many agencies publish documents in Spanish. Are you saying the Spanish versions are too technical? Didn't think so...
Re: Plain english?
DOL
Wed Apr 16, 2008 8:56 AM
Clear Language: Simplified Guides
EEOC
Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:03 AM
Post Reply
A manual streamlined to avoid 'the numerous exceptions' is indeed a problem: it provides counsel that is too often false. Similarly, many governmental websites have replaced official documents with FAQs or interactive Q&A systems that provide advice of extremely limited depth.
The solution is not in omission or dumbing down but in better organizing the content to clearly indicate general rules, then specific rules, and exceptions marked as such and positioned under each to make clear the sections they modify. Don't try to include all possible answers, but clearly point to readily avilable references and alert as to situations of their applicability. Terms of art should not be relied upon in explanation, but even they can be made clear by organization of context, and should be included as necessary to ensure that guidance is located with equal ease by experts and by those without special knowledge. Simple decision trees help when they can be presented compactly and with clarity.
I'll believe it when I see it
USDA
Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:10 AM
Post Reply
I work with the public in my job, and enjoy the writing I do. I believe there isn't a form letter I can't improve. However, I have been told there are several I cannot change, because of all the legalities involved, or because the meaning might be changed. The result? Most people who receive these untouched letters and documents must call to have me explain what they mean.
Plain language
USDA
Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:38 AM
Post Reply
My first reaction was: "We will if you will!"
Seriously, though, they've touched on a subject that aggravates me. We are utterly guilty as charged. And who goes first during budget slowdowns? The Technical Writers.
I got a report from an IT Task Force yesterday, most of it unintelligible gibberish to anyone outside their field. And they expect to sell their proposal to management and employees. If their IT solution is as unfriendly as their report, I don't look forward to using it.
I think a lot of people write this way because they think they have to in order to appear competent to their peers. They forget that the writer's job is to make the READER'S job easier (I think Steven King said that).
If we all went back to our first draft with the goal of cutting its length by 25%, our docs would improve immediately. Having to say it succinctly usually adds clarity at the same time.
Plain Language
Federal Agency
Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:41 AM
Post Reply
Your own article explained why we can never convert to Plain Language when you said, "The General Counsel had reviewed . . ." As long as we have lawyers, we will never be able to do business in Plain Language. I think Plain Language is surgically removed from them during the 3 years of law school.
Write in Plain Language
SSA
Tue Apr 15, 2008 12:25 PM
Post Reply
Maybe the Congress and the Senate should put their money where their mouth and others would follow suit.
Plain English in government
AF
Tue Apr 15, 2008 12:28 PM
Post Reply
Anyone who has received a letter from his congressman should surely get a laugh from this.