We have adopted a new policy at Rapport. After years of trying to compromise Australian, British, New Zealand, Canadian, and US styles of English to produce a newsletter in a universal English, we will now allow each author to speak in her own national voice. We are finished with being arbiters of English.So the English you meet here may vary from article to article in its spelling, grammar, punctuation, and colloquialisms. We think you will still be able to understand the plain language advocates who write for Rapport.
Occasionally we may be inclined to offer a definition or other reader-aid. This editorial policy is evolving, as is the English language. We hope you will be comfortable with this experiment in growing a global English.
English: Dead or Alive?
Models of taste with respect to the arts of speech must be composed in a dead and learned language:the first, to prevent their having to suffer the changes that inevitably overtake living ones, making dignified expressions become degraded, common ones antiquated, and ones newly coined after a short currency obsolete;the second to ensure its having a grammar that is not subject to the caprices of fashion, but has fixed rules of its own.
Immanuel Kant, "The Critique of Judgement" (1790), translated by James Creed Meredith.
[quoted by Michael Quinon in World of Words
If any of the articles in this issue inspire you to write for the next issue, please do! Send your contributions to me by April 1st.
Cheryl Stephens
Nordic Plain Language Conference
On May 14 - 16 1998 about 40 plain language consultants and other linguists from all Nordic countries met in Stockholm. They discussed how to encourage government agencies to start plain language projects and informed one another about what had been done so far in their countries.Mr Martin Cutts from the Plain Language Commission in England, gave a talk on the meaning of Plain Language in the English-speaking countries. The conference was the starting point for closer cooperation between the Nordic countries and had been arranged by The Nordic Language Council and the Swedish Government´s Plain Language Group. Later this year, these organizations will arrange a conference in Brussels on the theme Clearer texts in the EU.
The Plain Swedish Award - Klarspråkskristallen
The Government´s Plain Language Group received 20 nominations from 13 government agencies for this newly instituted plain language award, called Klarspråkskristallen - a crystal block on a granite base made by an artist from the famous Swedish Orrefors glassworks.On May 15, the Minister for Finance awarded Klarspråkskristallen to The Regional Social Insurance Office in the city of Västerås for "succeding in transforming complicated regulations into lucid and accessible texts". The ceremony was held in the Government Building of Rosenbad.
The Minister for Finance also awarded certificates to The Swedish Patent and Registration Office for its "commitment and perseverance in plain language work" and to a museum curator, Mr. Lars Bern, for "breaking with a conservative, academic writing tradition by presenting the museum´s exhibits in a way that people will read, understand and remember".
You´ll find more information about the Swedish Government´s Plain Language Group at http://www.regeringen.se/info_rosenbad/departement/klarsprak
A new website includes links to monolingual, bilingual, and multilingual glossaries for insurance, reinsurance, and employee benefits specialists. Visit http://www.insurancetranslation.com.There is also a monthly e-letter, called Language Perils. The editorial mission of the e-letter is to explain industry concepts found outside the English-speaking world to English-speakers and to explain concepts found within the English-speaking world to non-English speakers.
The e-letter editors welcome submissions from readers worldwide.
That's the question Irene Leonard, lawyer, plain language advocate, and professional coach, asked some guys in leather last summer. Here follows an e-mail interview with Irene and a link to the paper she delivered at a biker lawyer conference.Q. So what was the purpose of your trip to Sturgis, South Dakota, this year?Thank you, Irene.
A. I went to Sturgis, South Dakota to attend the Harley Davidson Rally that attracts the largest number of Harley Davidson riders in the country each year. This year about 400,000 attended. I combined the trip with an opportunity to earn some continuing Legal Education credits by doing a presentation on Plain English Drafting.The president of the Street Legal Motorcycle Club was enthusiastic about my topic, "So what's it going to take for you to draft in Plain English?" . He felt this would give participants a better understanding of plain English drafting. He was interested in knowing which states make plain English drafting mandatory. In preparing for the presentation, Joe Kimble's input was invaluable .
Q. Tell us a little about this organization of lawyers.
A. The group I joined in South Dakota is called Street Legal Motorcycle Club. Most of the members are lawyers who have formally become a motor cycle club. They have members across the country, who love to ride motorcycles and, in particular, Harley Davidsons.Members are judges, law professors, litigation lawyers, transactional lawyers and some non-lawyers. The trip to Sturgis is an annual event combining riding with learning. They typically have a CLE session each morning and evening and ride during the day. So they have a week of classes if they can recruit enough lawyers to do presentations. They generally engage new members as speakers the first time out.
Q. Were they receptive to the idea of plain legal language?
A. They were receptive to the idea of Plain English drafting and seemed willing to accept that this is powerful writing, but reluctant to take any major steps to change the way they were currently preparing materials. One of the lawyers who attended the presentation (Kevin Snell the club president) let me know that since the presentation he is conscious when he is drafting of how he could incorporate plain English. So that feels like a win.Q. You've been doing a lot of professional coaching recently. Tell us what that is about and who your clients tend to be.
A. Professional coaching is a new performance development tool that is used by individuals who want to reach the next level in their professional and personal development. I liken it to working with a personal trainer for your body. I work with people who want to make the necessary changes to get what they want in their work, business and life.The kinds of clients I have been working with include lawyers who want to revamp their practices, handle the stress of the practice better, create their own personal marketing plan. Their practices have interfered with their lives, and they want to add more pleasurable components to their lives.
I also work with business owners who want to grow their businesses by working with someone who helps to motivate them, keeps them focused on what is important, and brainstorms new ideas. We discuss business and personal issues that arise as their business expands.
I work with individuals who want to get more organized, want to come up with a game plan for their career growth or deal with impending retirement or restructure their life after a breakup or loss of partner. There are all kinds of reasons to work with a coach.
I work one-on-one generally, but I coach groups as well. That means team building, project coaching, vision building, and performance improvement.
The satisfaction I achieve working with my clients is really wonderful. I really do help people with their business in a very satisfying way. My clients actually don't mind paying my fee.
Q. You tried some new delivery techniques for the Sturgis presentation, techniques adapted from coaching. How did that work out?
A. The coaching skills I used in the presentation worked very well. I got a lot of positive feedback from the group that it was interesting, informative and fun. That meant finding out what the group wanted to get out the presentation right from the beginning. As well as having them evaluate what plain English meant to them, what they were willing to consider about how it might benefit them, what they knew of plain English drafting, and how they reacted to legal material written in plain English.(It was interesting that a consensus of the group determined that arguments written in plain English were more persuasive, but they were still reluctant to go in that direction.)
The bottom line was it was very interactive. I wanted to know what the group wanted to get out the presentation and made that my goal.
Q. What did you, yourself, learn from doing the presentation in Sturgis?
A. I learned that it is going to take a lot of work and interaction with lawyers to get them to accept the challenge of writing in plain English. I do believe that some of the attendees will be changed in their drafting approach, and may be willing to make small steps in the direction of plain English.And that is what coaching is about: Taking the first steps towards change. I hope to get other opportunities to get the word out on the value to the legal profession and our clients that plain English affords.
I also learned that biker lawyers are open to the idea and they are a great deal of fun.
View Irene Leonard's paper, What is it going to take for you to use plain language?.
Irene Leonard wants to express appreciation for the help she received from Joe Kimball and others in preparing the paper.
Demographers have now identified and characterized the next generation.Called Generation Y, this group encompasses those 11 to 22. The label was chosen because Y is the next letter after X (remember generation X?) and by spelling it out with a question mark (why?) it represents one of the core catch phrases of this group.
Although hard to imagine commonalities in an age range this varied, this group has shared many common experiences growing up. And these common experiences, social scientists say, have resulted in some common Y generation traits.
Knowing these traits and incorporating them into our plain language writing can help us ensure we meet the needs of our Generation Y audience.
Characteristics
Kirsty Doig, a consultant with New York's Youth Intelligence Network says generation Yers tend to be interested in creating their own personal styles rather than following trends.They appear to be more optimistic about the future than their Generation X counterparts and have learned to set reasonable expectations for themselves based on the economic horizon. They are pursuing skills based training over general education in record numbers.
They know there are no guarantees and are realistic but know that personally they can 'get it done'. They want to do something they enjoy rather than something that just pays the bills. Technology is a part of their lives and they cite stress as one of their biggest problems.
Media savvy
These children of the baby boomers have ben brought up in a world of media saturation. They know all the games of the media and have learned to see through the bafflegab and glibness of traditional media rhetoric. They seek honesty in people, relationships and institutions. The clear, direct style of plain language can help engender their trust.Technology
They embrace technology as an important part of their lives and have learned to adapt their reading and information processing strategies to the computer. Sending your message via e-mail or the internet doesn't impress this group -- it is a requirement.Attention
Their attention span is on the move all the time and you have to keep up with that in your writing. Keep sentences short, paragraphs tight and address your points quickly and clearly. They process information faster so they have little tolerance for the fluff and stylistic information - they want to cut to the chase. They do however, enjoy the opportunity to use intuition and judgment to understand and often try to disect the prose to identify its underlying intent.Style
This generation resents being talked down to more than anything. They are much more interested in substance and context than style. They have moved beyond the interactive print designs favored by the Generation Xers to prefer style used to reinforce the information backing it.Adjusting
As with every demographic trend, it is impossible to pin down universal traits for such an evolving group. Instead, these general characteristics can help you modify your writing to reach the needs of this unique audience. It is always an adjustment for the "older' generations to speak and write the language of the new ones - an adjustment well worth making.
Bill Clinton issued a Presidential Memorandum on June 1, 1998 requiring all Federal agencies to communicate clearly to their customers. He said:We are determined to make the Government more responsive, accessible, and understandable in its communications with the public. The Federal Government’s writing must be in plain language. By using plain language, we send a clear message about what the Government is doing, what it requires, and what services it offers. Plain language saves the Government and the private sector time, effort, and money.History unfolds
U.S. government plain language initiatives have a twenty-year history. Jimmy Carter issued an executive order mandating plain language in government regulations although Ronald Reagan quickly rescinded the order. President Clinton’s effort takes the form of a memorandum – not an order – so government agencies need only make their best efforts if they are willing and able. The Presidential Memorandum expires with the President’s term.This recent initiative includes many support services which may make plain language more workable. Plain language may become second-nature to federal employees. One resource is the Plain Language Action Network Web site at http://plainlanguage.gov. It provides examples of clear regulations, letters, forms and manuals. There are also guidelines and references to assist those learning to be clearer in what they say and write.
The plain language advocates in the U.S. government network are not to be confused with the international Plain Language Consultants Network whose new site is at http://plainlanguagenetwork.org.
To contact the Plain Language Action Network composed of US government employees, email Annetta Cheek at annetta.cheek@npr.gov
Susan Kleimann , a Washington, DC consultant, provides two reports on recent activities:This Much Is Clear: Plain Language Is Back!
At long last, on June 2, 1998, Vice President Al Gore announced a Presidential Memorandum on Plain Language in government. In this memorandum, President Clinton directed government agencies to swap the gobbledygook of bureaucratese for plain language. Here’s the timetable for federal agencies:
- By October 1, 1998, use plain language for all documents, other than regulations, that explain how to obtain a benefit or service or how to comply with a requirement. These documents include letters, forms, notices, and instructions.
- By January 1, 2002, translate all such documents created before October 1, 1998 into plain language.
- By January 1, 1999, use plain language in all proposed and final rulemakings published in the Federal Register.
To help federal agencies get all of this done, the National Partnership for Reinventing Government (NPR) sponsors the Plain Language Action Network, which has worked for plain language in regulations for the past few years. A consortium of staff from different agencies, PLAN meets weekly to share information about the rewriting of regulations. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), both active in PLAN, had their rewritten plain language documents used as good examples of plain language.
Vice President Gore also announced a monthly award—"a button with a turkey head on it and a line through it" called the Meleagris Gallopavbo Garrulitas Terminatrix Encomium or "No Gobbledygook Award." This is awarded to the federal employee who provides the best before and after example of government writing.
And the winner. . . of the first No Gobbledygook Award is OSHA for its rewrite of OSHA Regulation 1910.122. It tells employers how to make dip tanks safer in the workplace.
Want to be listed as a Plain Language Consultant?
In support of the Presidential Memorandum on Plain Language, the Kleimann Communication Group (KCG) is hosting a list of consultants who work on plain language projects. Because the the National Partnership for Reinventing Government (NPR) cannot make direct recommendations, but want to get the word out, they will link to this listing on our web site and will refer government staff to this listing.At KCG, we emphasize collaborative efforts in all our work. We see this as an opportunity to work with you as well as publicize your important commitment to plain language. Our listing of plain language consultants will be housed on KCG’s web page at www.beyondwords.org
We are happy to provide these listings, but there are several things that we want potential plain language consultants to know:
- You will be listed as an independent consultant or as a company.
- We don’t intend to edit your listings and will NOT make changes to your listing without contacting you.
- We may ask you to revise part of your descriptions to keep them consistent with other listings.
Apparently, NPR is already getting requests for consultants, and it would be great to have government staff have a chance to contact you. Since we believe that there's more than enough work to go around many times, you may wish to let other plain language professionals know of this listing.
Let me know ASAP if you are interested in being included in the listing. Then send the following information as soon as you can to skleimann@erols.com:
- Your name and company name
- Contact information (including a web site address if you have one)
- a 25-50 word description of the work your company does
- a 25-50 word listing of clients or a description of a plain language project
- the name and contact information of a client who agrees to give you a recommendation for anyone who wants to call for a reference. Be sure you check with the reference before the person gets a call.
No Gobbledygook Award
As Susan Kleiman mentioned above, government writers can look to Vice-President Al Gore’s new "No Gobbledygook Award" for motivation. This award will go to individual writers and not to the agencies that employee them. The award criteria require that a significant number of a government agency’s customers use the document so that a plainer version is likely to save the public and the government time, effort and money. The plain version must have been tested on people who are typical of readers or users, and the readers must find it easy to read and understand.This might seem an impossible standard but the first award has already been granted to Marthe Kent of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration on June 30. Here is the winning example of her efforts:
Before:Before this specific award for plain language, agencies could receive Gore’s awards for "reinventing government" when they produced plain language documents. Gore’s National Performance Review continues to coordinate the U.S. plain language efforts and the Plain Language Action Network.1910(94(d)(1) General (i) This paragraph applies to all operations involving the immersion of materials in liquids, or in the vapors of such liquids, for the purpose of cleaning or altering the surface or adding to or imparting a finish thereto or changing the character of the materials, and their subsequent removal from the liquid or vapor, draining, and drying. These operations include washing, electroplating, anodizing, pickling, quenching, dyeing, dipping, tanning , dressing, bleaching, degreasing, alkaline cleaning, striping, rinsing, digesting, and other similar operations.After:1910.122 (a) When does this rule apply? (1) This rule applies to operations using a dip tank containing any liquid other than water: (i) To clean an object; (ii) To coat an object; (iii) To alter the surface of an object; or (iv) To change the character of an object. (2) This rule also applies to drying or draining an object after dipping.
Court case provides impetus
In addition, U.S. Government activities are supported by the recent Walters decision. The appeal court found that a notice used by the Immigration and Naturalization Service was not clear and the result is that the agency’s procedures did not meet constitutional requirements. This will be a strong impetus to adopt plain language.Citations: U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit, Decision in the Matter of Maria Walters, et all, v. U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, May 18, 1998
Executive Order #12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, Executive Order #12861, Elimination of one-half of Executive Branch internal regulations, Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act
Words -- like globalisation -- are often used without true understanding. The information age and technology have created a universal access to people -- often without the benefit of face-to-face interaction. Nothing can replace the meaning of words or experiences gathered through interpersonal contact. And, my first real global experience with plain language proved this to me beyond a doubt.This plain language project, originating throughout Europe but edited in England, was a wonderful challenge to the whole concept of plain language. It involved editing a document based on submissions from eight countries in the European Economic Union (EEU). From Iceland to Finland, Portugal to Greece, Austria to Denmark, England to Belgium, the authors put in their own words (in English) what a training programme manager’s job involved and needed in the future. The final document will help create a more unified job description and training initiative for programme managers in the EEU.
The true test for me was whether my plain language editing strategy, developed and tested in Canada on English documents, would fit into this new world of multi-lingual translations, transnational (a new word that has evolved with the EEU) documentation. And, it passed the test with top marks. The strategy I have fine tuned all these years, transferred effectively. It helped put a new face on -- and new faith in -- my old approach.
The challenge -- and best learning experience -- came from the balancing act between clarifying for coherence and simplifying for conciseness, while still capturing the cultural differences in emphasis and meaning. The Danish project co-ordinator patiently explained the social, historical, political and cultural importance of the political and professional environments for each country -- and each report. We also debated words and phrases using the same criteria. It helped that we agreed on basic plain language guidelines in the beginning.
It is interesting how the same writing style problems continue to get in the way of plain language, regardless of the document or primary language of the author. These problems seem to know no boundaries. This is obvious -- since plain language is an internationally recognised need. However, first hand experience is a valuable teacher.
As I reviewed the final edit, from my own historic perspective, I realised that many of the changes I made would have been done had I been working on a document written in English as a first language.
Some of the challenges are:
- acronyms: EDP or electronic data processing, now referred to as IT or information technology
- wordiness: to react adequately and more precisely to wishes and needs
- phrases: in private enterprises on the market
- awkward wording: Latterly a number of related Government agencies have made available relevant publications e.g. ...
- idioms: function of a fire-brigade; putting out fires
Second language editing requires careful assessment of terms with double, hidden or situational meanings. Correct usage of ‘which’ and ‘that’ seemed to be a common problem for all the authors. They also tended to use more words than necessary to make a point, often in passive language. But, these problems appear to be universal, confirming the need for plain language worldwide.
The project went beyond recognising spelling differences like ‘organization’ vs. ‘organisation’ and ‘programme’ vs ‘program’. It required implementing a common set of terms for such concepts as adult education, continuing education, vocational adult continuing education, further education, life-long learning, and in-firm training. We had to agree on large deletions, while not losing the descriptiveness. These descriptions helped you see the issues more clearly and balance the conclusions. This new understanding would be critical in drafting the recommendations and developing a consensus.
In North America we don’t always have to consider historical impact -- it must be our youthfulness. It became clear to me that the historical relevance of different EU political, social, cultural and educational perspectives was an important part of this process.
Regardless of whether training was a business, union or government initiative, the role of the programme manager seemed to share very similar challenges. Authors drew common conclusions, universal in their demand for training, networking and access to information.
Although many felt the ‘concept’ of programme management couldn’t be put into a single definition, the lists of skills, knowledge and attitude requirements for the job had many similarities. They also recommended that new technology-based learning methods might be the answer to the age-old problem of how to train people with varied needs, demanding schedules, limited budgets and distance.
Are we to conclude that the more things change, the more they remain the same? I hope not.
The fact that this project recognised and invested in plain language indicates that researchers and academics are opening up to our services. Collaborating with authors from other cultures, in a co-operative rather than a coaching way, proved that change by consensus in international terms is possible. This project proved to me that plain language still means people helping each other communicate clearly for their audience. The global aspect simply means adding cultural issues to the equation.
The Plain Language Consultants Network would like to hear from individuals and organizations who would be interested in volunteering for and sponsoring a conference in the year 2000. The Network is interested in co-sponsoring a conference, lending our experience in producing the previous two conferences on plain language. We would also like to hear from volunteers to serve as national contacts for the Conference planning. Kate Harrison will serve as our contact in England for this purpose. Please send email to Cheryl Stephens, Network Coordinator at plain@web.net.History of the Plain Language Conferences
Plain language communications entered the public arena with the consumers’ movement in the 1970s and policies of U.S. President Jimmy Carter. Canadian insurers and banks adopted many plain language forms in the same era. The plain language movement has enjoyed a resurgence in the 1990s -- especially in Canada, Australia and Britain.Over the past 10 years, plain language has become policy for several provincial governments and some federal departments. Plain language policies have been adopted by the Canadian Bankers' Association and the Canadian Bar Association, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and many other organizations.
Conferences held by the Plain Language Centre of Toronto on 1990 and the Plain Language Society of B.C. in 1992 addressed the need for plain language and the need for advocacy to sell the value of plain language in government, business, and law. Both these institutions are now closed as are their conduits to government funds for conferences. Without operating institutions like these, the plain language movement looks to Plain Language in Progress conferences as an important mechanism to network and share resources. Conferences also allow the experts in the field to consult and to set directions to future developments.
There have been many successes in plain language in recent years. It now seems that the time for winning people and governments over to plain language is past. Now business people and governments need the skills to implement plain language and the information to help solve problems that arise in doing so.
The first Plain Language in Progess Conference was held in Winnipeg in August 1995 and the second in Calgary in September 1997. Both aimed to deliver information and training to internal and external organizational consultants in plain language in business and government and at the salaried and consulting professional writers in public service and community organizations.
The Conferences were organized at the initiative of the International Plain Language Consultants Network. Cheryl Stephens and Kate Harrison were the National Co-Chairs for the Conferences. The Organizing Committee and participants represented broad sectors of the business and justice community.
Proceedings available
The proceedings of the Winnipeg Conference were reported in Rapport: News about plain language over several issues. Reporters attended all sessions and submitted 1,000-word reports for publication. The speakers’ own papers will be published in The Proceedings of Plain Language In Progress Conference, 1995 now in final production by ASAP Professional Publishing in Vancouver.Some papers from the Plain Language in Progress Conference 1997 held in Calgary, Alberta are now available online at the Network site
Valuable purpose of conferences
The conferences provide a forum for
- sharing information and experience nationally and internationally
- building expert networks locally and nationally
- determining areas where further research is needed
- learning from multi-disciplinary experts
- exploring case studies
- publicizing the continuing efforts to resolve plain language issues.
The 1997 Conference program also explored issues that arise in implementing plain language policies to meet the needs of the public, including those who are:
- multicultural
- of limited literacy
- engaged in cross-border business
- lacking an understanding of the justice system
- lacking access to information on the justice system
- offering or receiving consumer services
The Winnipeg Conference sessions were organized under two areas of application (Law and Government; Business, Consumers and Literacy) and the categories of Techniques and Innovations. The PLIP 97 Conference Program sought topics under these categories representing aspects of plain language practice:
- Technology and plain language
- Communicating to specific audiences
- Applications and case studies in organizations and professions
- Designing documents for various media
- Issues for plain language consultants
- Research and methodology
Here are Mr. McKinnon's suggestions for working ethically:
1. Be sceptical of the "windowpane" view of knowledge and the "transfer" model of communication. Acknowledge the rhetorical nature of public documents. Ask yourself if what might be deemed to be a "demonstration" might better be thought of as an "argument."2. Acknowledge the ethical implications of working in Plain Language. Acknowledge the power inherent in and sought by language, as well as the unequal distribution of social and political power and language facility.
3. Acknowledge the problematic nature of plain language: what it is, what its limits are. Admit to the existence of complexity.
4. Contextualize expertise. In working as a consultant, tell your client what kind of expertise you’re drawing on, its methods, assumptions and limitations. Don’t be afraid of opinions. Admit to subjectivity.
5. Be prepared to question and advise on deep rhetorical matters (genre, content, structure) and ethical matters (ethos, the nature of the implied audience, propositions and their possible consequences, and the power relationship implied between writer and audience), not just on surface matters of style and format.
6. Use I or We. In any document that may be read unattached to its author, say who you are, describe your office and/or capacity, and note any context that could help locate the writer and the document for a distant reader.
7. Define You. Where useful in public documents, e.g., training materials, online documents, Web sites, define the audience.
Plain Language Network says
"Support International Literacy Day by Using Plain Language for All Your Readers"
September 8 is International Literacy Day. Events take place around the world to encourageAll readers have a right to easily understood information on issues that are important to their lives -- whether those issues concern health, legal rights, government activities, or consumer services. The Plain Language Consultants Network is an organization of plain language advocates in business, education, law and government. We believe that writers too need to hear a message on Literacy Day.
- non-readers to learn to read and
- readers to read every day
Take responsibility for communicating your message:
This approach not only lets writers reach readers whose skills are not up to the requirements of the information society, but it is appreciated by all readers. Gobbledygook raises the level of reading skill needed to function in a society already making heavy demands -- a society in which information is currency. But plain language is appreciated by everyone and gobbledygook offends.
- Use plain language
- Consider your reader's reading skills and abilities
Warning notices particularly require plain language. Life is fraught with tragedy when warnings are not delivered in clear, appropriate language.
Consider this example and a simplified version:
BeforeAfter the tragic death of a passenger, the Toronto subway system changed this sign (confusing in the circumstances) to the version that follows it:
The synthetic lubricating oil used in this engine contains additives which, if allowed to come into contact with the skin for prolonged periods, can be toxic through absorption.After
Do not leave the engine oil on your skin for a long period of time. The oil is poisonous. It can go through your skin and into your body.
Before
Emergency: To cut power on third rail, pull alarm. Pull handle, then pull down lever.After
Emergency power cut.
To cut power on tracks:
1. Pull handle, breaking glass.
2. Push inside lever down.
For an introduction to plain language writing, work your way through the National Literacy Secretariat's online training program The Plain Train or read this Introduction.
Another online resource is provided by the U.S. Government's Plain Language Action Network, http://plainlanguage.gov
Additional background materials for this release:
- Writing for specific audiences or on specific topics: government, education, the law, science, the Web, or business
- Gobbledygook and plain language examples
- Cost savings and quality advantages from plain language initiatives
- International Literacy Day contacts -- official literacy organizations
Plain language describes a communication process that considers readers’ needs and abilities, speaks with clarity, makes information accessible and usable, and verifies that the communication has been successful. Plain language is communication that works.
Published by
Rapport Communication Projects, of The Precedent Group, Consultants.
Cheryl Stephens and Allen H. Soroka, Principals
P.O. Box 33813, Station D,
Vancouver, British Columbia V6J 4L6 Canada
Phone 1 (604) 739-0443 Fax 1 (604) 739-0522
E-mail raporter@web.netPlease write us for permission for any use of this copyrighted material.
Managing Editor: Cheryl M. Stephens, Vancouver, Canada
Editorial Advisors:
Janet Dean, New Westminster, BC, Canada
Kate Harrison, Millom, Cumbria, England