“Say all you have to say in the fewest possible words, or your reader will be sure to skip them; and in the plainest possible words or he will certainly misunderstand them.” – John Ruskin
Plain English Ireland is campaigning against gobbledygook, jargon and misleading public information. Plain English Ireland and Public Affairs Ireland have created together an e-learning package to help you with your writing skills, because we believe that everyone should have access to clear and concise information.
Some of the basic rules never change when creating plain English, such as George Orwell’s six rules of clear English:
1. Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.
2. Never use a long word where a short one will do.
3. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
4. Never use the passive where you can use the active.
5. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
6. Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous. – Politics and the English Language (1946)
Do you want to know how to write documents that are clear, concise, accessible and effective?
All the PAI e-learning courses include a list of strategies, techniques and tips.
Writing for the Web
Report Writing
Minute Taking Made Easy
For more information please email elearning@publicaffairireland.com or call 01-8198 500