Plain Language in Plain English

Magically simple process,
but not quick and easy

Producing usable information, in paper or on the web, requires effort and a step-wise approach. I’d like to say to people that the book, Plain Language in Plain English, makes it simple, but that might be misleading–why go on about it for 200 pages if it is so easy?

I can say that in the book, we lay out a simple, fool-proof process that guarantees you have tried your best.

I want to share with you 2 graphics that illustrate the work that is hidden behind the simple, clear language of a successful communication.

1. “… you only have 150 words to work with on a web page before users click the back button…”, from the Digital Word blog, on the business value of words.

2. To make technical language, like legalese, clear to the average reader, the write must work very hard. This image is from Anastasia Pryanikova, or @Lawsagna.