1. How would you explain to someone what “Plain English writing” is? (4 Marks)
Plain English writing is a style that focuses on the content’s clarity and overall simplicity. It avoids complex vocabulary and unnecessarily long sentences[i], making it easier for the audience to read and saving them time. Plain English uses common everyday words to ensure readers can quickly grasp the message without confusion. This also helps with reader comprehension of your content; the easier your content is to understand, the more likely readers are to engage with it. This style is fundamental in business, government, and legal communications, where misinterpretations can lead to serious consequences.[ii]
Plain English also appeals to skimmers, who quickly scan through content and extract the most important parts[iii]. Keeping your content simple and organized in plain English makes it easier for skimmers to find and comprehend the information quickly. This can increase the likelihood of these people engaging because they won’t be frustrated by the amount of content they have to read.
b. What makes Plain English writing different? (4 Marks)
Clear and concise
Plain English prioritizes keeping sentences short to the point to improve overall clarity and help with reader comprehension[iv]. The traditional writing style normally uses unnecessary words and long-winded phrases, making it harder for people to understand. Plain English Sentences should be straightforward and concise, minimizing unnecessary words. This keeps writing organized and helps readers quickly find the information they need.
Since most readers spend less than 15 seconds scanning over the content and deciding if it’s important[v], straightforward and quick communication is essential for an effective reading experience. In our fast-paced world, concise communication is essential for conveying ideas effectively.
Avoids complex vocabulary
Plain English replaces technical words with more common, everyday terms that people can quickly understand. It keeps the text simple and easy to read so everyone can understand and not have to decode long, unnecessary phrases. Often, when readers have to spend time decoding a phrase or figuring out what a word means, they become discouraged and may leave your page. [vi]
Plain English is straightforward and efficient, allowing writers to communicate their message clearly and quickly. Focusing on simplicity makes information accessible to a broader audience and keeps readers engaged. This ensures everyone can read and understand your writing. If the user has an easy time reading and understanding the content, they are more likely to engage with it.
Tailored to the reader
Content is structured using an inverted pyramid, with the most critical information first. [vii]It’s essential to write in plain English for readers who skim, so placing the important information first will allow skimmers to find what they want quickly.
Starting with the most important details will help readers understand what the content is about and decide whether to continue reading. It’s important to grab their attention quickly. This keeps them interested and encourages engagement. Writing for skimmers involves using clear language and placing crucial information upfront, making your content accessible and engaging for all readers.
c. What is plain language writing for the web? In detail and your own words, why is it important? (4 Marks)
Plain language writing for the web is about the structure of the copy and its directness[viii]. When writing in plain language for the web, keep the copy concise, state the most important things first, and follow up with the details second. You also need to keep your vocabulary simple; one reason for this is to ensure that anyone can quickly read and understand what you’re saying without giving them a chance to misinterpret what you’re trying to convey.
Keeping content direct and concise is crucial for effective communication. Clear and simple calls-to-action (CTAs) are more likely to grab the viewer’s attention and be understood. The reader picks up on it. Since readers are quickly digesting and understanding the content, this straightforward approach boosts overall traffic and engagement. A key part of keeping the content is keeping the vocabulary simple and easy to understand; people don’t want to read and decode, and usually want to move as quickly as possible. To keep them engaged and reading, using simple everyday words is important.
Leave a Reply