Plain English and easy English
I offer services in plain English writing and editing, and easy English summaries of complex documents.
Plain English simply means writing in a way that puts readers first. As a plain English writer, I ask questions like:
- What do readers need to know?
- What do readers care about?
- How will readers approach this document?
What the organisation wants to say is secondary.
For readers, a plain English document is something that answers their questions in a way that makes sense – even when read just once.
Easy English (or easy read) is a structured approach to simplified text. It is designed to help people with low literacy to understand issues and participate in society.
Easy English uses:
- Short, simple sentences
- Text supported by illustrations
- A standardised design
- Definitions for complex words.
Writing in easy English is like a form of mental gymnastics. It’s tricky and slow. Finding easy ways to express complex concepts often requires many, many rounds of editing and consultation with both subject experts and readers.
I first became interested in plain English and easy English when I worked on Australia’s public awareness campaign for International Literacy Year in 1990.
I follow the guidelines for plain and easy English published by the Plain English Foundation and the Centre for Inclusive Design. Whenever possible, I support these guidelines by testing documents with real readers.
Plain English and easy English are slippery concepts, not a set-and-forget strategy. They do not guarantee understanding by all readers. They require attention to meaning in context, not the simple application of sentence-level rules.
Plain English and easy English are slippery concepts, not a set-and-forget strategy.
‘Judy has a great attitude and explains complex concepts in an easy and engaging manner.’