The top plain English tips
Writing
1. Think of the person you are writing to and why you are writing
Ask yourself what words or concepts the person is likely to know already, what tone and amount of detail is suitable and what message they are supposed to get from your information.
2. Be personal and direct
Don’t be afraid to use ‘we’ for your organisation and ‘you’ for the reader. As much as possible, say who is doing what, for example ‘We will write to you’ instead of ‘A letter will be sent’.
3. Keep it simple
Try not to inflict corporate language on the public – it doesn’t serve them or your organisation’s reputation! Avoid other complicated and foreign terms if you can use a plainer alternative to get your message across just as accurately.
4. Define or spell out any technical terms and abbreviations
If you must use a technical word because there is no plain alternative to it, define the term the first time you use it. The same applies to abbreviations – spell them out, especially if you intend to use them several times. Keep abbreviations to a minimum.
5. Keep sentences to an average of 15 to 20 words
Think about the point you want each sentence to make and stick to it. Try not to pad out your message with wordy and formal phrases such as ‘in the event of’, ‘in accordance with’ or ‘subsequent to’.