What is plain language

What is plain language?

• It’s not about “dumbing down” your writing. Almost anything - from leaflets and letters to legal documents - can be written in plain language without patronising the reader or being over-simple.
• It doesn’t mean reducing the length or changing the meaning of your message. 
• It’s not about banning new words, killing off long words or promoting completely perfect grammar. Nor is it about letting grammar slip.
• It is not an amateur’s way of communicating with customers. The best managers always write in plain language.

It’s not as easy as we would like to think.

We used to accept the official style of writing of bureaucrats such as lawyers, public officials and bank managers that was inefficient and often unfriendly. Many of these offenders are now putting things right by rewriting their documents clearly and training their employees in the art of plain language.

Plain language is:

• Faster to write
• Faster to read

You also get your message across more often, more easily and in a friendlier way.