The U.S. Plain Language Act FAQ

When it becomes law, this Act will require that the Federal Executive Branch agencies produce new documents in plain English and train their employees to write in plain language.

This web page aims to help you prepare for the new requirements by providing a one-stop list of resources available online.

What is "plain language"?

In this law, the term "plain language" means language that the intended audience can readily understand and use because it is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices of plain language writing.

You can learn more about plain language at PlainLanguage.com.

So there's a new law?

It is not actually law yet. To be notified when it does become law, subscribe to updates from plainlanguage.com. Just enter your e-mail address below.

The bill passed the house (H.R. 3548) and has been placed on the calendar at the Senate (S. 2291) as:

An act to enhance citizen access to Government information and services by establishing plain language as the standard style for Government documents issued to the public, and for other purposes...

The purpose of this Act is to improve the Federal Government's effectiveness and accountability to the public by promoting clear communication that the public can understand and use.

You can read the text of the "Plain Language in Government Communications Act of 2007" and find out more on the web: S. 2291.

Who does this affect?

This law would apply to any

• "Executive agency" (5USC105) which means an Executive department, a Government corporation, the Government Accountability Office, or
• "Independent Agency" (5USC104) which means an establishment in the Executive Branch.

It will not apply to the Postal Service or the Postal Rate Commission nor to any military department. (From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access)

The law doesn't apply to private corporations, but they would do well to pay attention to it. Trends both in legislatures and in the courts are heading toward requiring plain language more and more. No organization can afford to ignore it.

Are there primary resources available to help me comply with the new law?

These documents are mentioned in the bill and provide guidelines for the use of plain language in government. They are .pdf files, so you need to have the free Acrobat Reader to view them.

1. The Securities and Exchange Commission offers a plain language guide: SEC Plain Language Handbook.
2. A 78 page guide to plain language from the U.S. government: Federal Plain Language Guidelines (.pdf format)

Are there more government resources available?

Yes.

• From the Federal Register: Making Regulations Readable.
• This page from the Office of Management and Budget includes a section on plain language: OMB Policy 2: Ensure Information Quality.

And see this page on Writing for the Web.

These resources are from the Federal Aviation Authority.

• Videos from the FAA on writing plain language.
• Writing Standards Order 1000.36
• Plain Language Writing for the Web.

What private resources are available to help prepare our people to meet the plain language requirements?

This free, online plain language training is invaluable in preparing employees to work with plain language: The Plain Train

Plain Language Wizardry at PlainLanguage.com offers:

• A FAQ on Plain Language, and
• A collection of excellent articles about writing plain language.

Some of my associates are really opposed to plain language initiatives. How can I convince them?

Here are a couple of articles that might help.

• Six Shibboleths About Plain Language, by Cheryl Stephens, and
• Answering the Critics of Plain Language, by Joe Kimble.

Who can help:

Here are some organizations and websites that should go on your resource list for general information about plain language.

• PlainLanguage.gov
• Center for Plain Language
• PLAIN: The Plain Language Association International
• Plain Language Wizardry at PlainLanguage.com.