The message is: “Keep it simple”
President Barack Obama signed the Plain Writing Act of 2010 over a year ago, requiring US Federal agencies to write their regulations in plain English. In an effort to overhaul the process of developing new regulations, President Obama instructed agencies that any new rulemaking language must be “accessible, consistent, written in plain language, and easy to understand.”
Closer by, in the UK, some council workers have been given tips on how to be more inspiring and interesting when communicating with the public online. For example, the management at Bury Town Hall have told staff who blog, to stop their internet posts reading like jargon-packed town hall reports. A new 37-page guide advises the council bloggers to ‘be human’ without telling their life story – and not to fill their posts with obscure technical language. The policy explains: ‘You can use a more informal and relaxed tone, almost conversational”.
The same imperative to write official documents and legislation in simple plain English applies here as well. Do you want to know how to write online content or documents that are clear, concise, accessible and effective? Do you also want to learn the appropriate techniques at your own pace and from the comfort of your own office?
Public Affairs Ireland and Plain English Ireland have created online learning courses to help you to write in Plain English at work. All the PAI e-learning courses include a list of strategies, techniques, tips and downloadable guidance for future reference.
For more information about Public Affairs Ireland’s writing courses, please click the links below
Writing for the Web
Report Writing
Minute Taking Made Easy
Practical Writing Skills