Pennsylvania Lawyers Sponsor Student Writing Contest

Pennsylvania Bar Association Plain English Writing Competition

Setting an example for other law schools and state bars, Pennsylvania launches a contest in plain language:

The Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Plain English Committee is inviting students to take part in its Plain English Writing Competition. The Competition is open to all current law students in Pennsylvania law schools and all Pennsylvania students at other law schools in the United States.

To participate in the competition, the students must redraft the client opinion letter (click on pictures at link below) in plain English so that it will be comprehensible to the client.

The competition rewards the winners with prize money: $1000 for first prize, $500 for second prize. Deadline: We must receive your application by noon, Thursday, April 8, 2010.

For the contest entry go to http://tourolawoss.blogspot.com/2010/03/pennsylvania-bar-association-plain.html

US Law on PLain Language Closer to Reality

Houses passes bill; Senate vote the next hurdle Washington, DC – As part of Sunshine Week, the House today passed Rep. Bruce Braley’s (D-Iowa) Plain Language Act (HR 946), which will require the federal government to write new documents in simple, easy-to-understand language. The bill passed the House by a widely bipartisan margin of 386-33. Sunshine Week is a national initiative to open a dialogue about the importance of open government and freedom of information. “There is no reason why the federal government can’t write these forms and other public documents in a way we can all understand,” Braley said. “Plain, straightforward language makes it easy for taxpayers to understand what the federal government is doing and what services it is offering. “This bill shows what bipartisanship can accomplish when we put aside our differences and work together for the common good.” The Plain Language Act requires the federal government to write all new publications, forms, and publicly distributed documents in a “clear, concise, well-organized” manner that follows the best practices of plain language writing. The Senate must now act. Examples of Plain Language in Use: Before and After Here are three before-and-after examples of how plain language was applied to federal documents to make them easier to understand. For more examples, see http://www.facebook.com/l/dd236;www.plainlanguage.gov. Example #1: Medicare Fraud Letter (click link) http://www.facebook.com/l/dd236;www.plainlanguage.gov/examples/before_after/medicarefraudltr.cfm Example #2: FDA drug warning label (click link) http://www.facebook.com/l/dd236;www.plainlanguage.gov/examples/before_after/overctrdrug.pdf Example #3: IRS form (click links) Before: http://www.facebook.com/l/dd236;www.plainlanguage.gov/examples/before_after/CP2000_before.pdf After: http://www.facebook.com/l/dd236;www.plainlanguage.gov/examples/before_after/CP2000_after.pdf

Is it information?

This is a little lesson in making information accessible, beyond making language plain.

This little video called Information, from MAYnMAYA, makes the point that we need the facts when we need them and in a useful form.

http://vimeo.com/3248432

This handout from an investment company is sent out as an annual reminder of “information” resources.

Mackenzie Investments Investor update - Statement Insert
http://www.mackenziefinancial.com/eprise/main/MF/DocLib/Public/InvestorUpdate.pdf

I believe the recipients of this mailing immediately throw it in the garbage. The available material is overwhelming and descriptions not revealing.

There must be better ways to deliver information. I imagine a list of questions would be more helpful. The answers to the questions could direct a reader to the best document for the information they seek.

Here is a more academic article on the topic. [I liked the charts]

Knowledge Management—Emerging Perspectives
http://www.systems-thinking.org/kmgmt/kmgmt.htm

What is content strategy?

I am finding myself frustrated with the jargon arising around social media and new technologies. Some of it can be ignored; some must be learned.

Kristina Halvorson defines "content strategy" for us at her blog.

It’s a well-founded plan, fueled by your business objectives and user goals. An achievable plan, created with your current business reality, content assets, and limited resources in mind. A future plan, for what’s going to happen to your content once you send it off into the world. And, most importantly, a profitable plan, where your measures of success ultimately have impact on your organization’s bottom line.

Everybody wants plain language but the banks?

The Government of Canada's Code of Conduct for Credit and Debit Card Markets has been reviewed by PAC. PAC is a coalition representing 250,000 Canadian merchants, co-chaired by the Retail Council of Canada (RCC) and the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors (CCGD)

 

PAC's review and commentary is based on three key principles, one being:

-  The need to provide clarity - for consumers and merchants
 

Among other issues, merchants want language that can be understood: 

-  Merchants are asking for plain English language contracts, with
       clearly defined terms... 

-  Merchants are asking for full disclosure... 

-  "Fee changes" must be defined in plain language.