PLAIN eJournal

The PLAIN eJournal reaches plain language practitioners, researchers, educators, and advocates in 52 countries. Published twice a year in a magazine-style format, the journal shares best practices, case studies, reflections, and discussions from across the plain language field.

Only PLAIN members can access the journal’s content. However, Volume 7, Number 2 (PDF, 2.5 MB) is open access as it provides an update on the ISO plain language standard. It is an update of Volume 3, Number 2 (PDF, 2.9 MB).

The magazine supports PLAIN’s organizational objectives of:

  • promoting research and development in plain language,
  • promoting the interests of plain language specialists, and
  • developing standards and practices for the plain language field.

Want to promote or share the PLAIN eJournal with non-members?

Please do:

  • share Volume 7, Number 2 (PDF, 2.5 MB) with non-members
  • encourage others to join PLAIN, so they can also read the journal.

Please do not:

  • circulate digital copies
  • post images of articles that you did not write.

Author information

The journal keeps our members up-to-date with international developments in plain language. We do this by sharing best practices, cases studies, reflections, and discussions about plain language.

If you would like to contribute an article to the PLAIN eJournal, please review our Contributor (PDF, 233 KB) and Style (PDF, 234 KB) guidelines.

If you have questions or suggestions for elements to be included in the next update, please email the Managing Editor at publications@PlainLanguageNetwork.org.

Advertising information

By advertising in the PLAIN eJournal, you play an invaluable part in helping us achieve our mission. Review our advertising rate card (PDF, 138 KB) for details.

  • PLAIN eJournal Vol. 8, No. 1

    The Brussels Plain Language Experience 2025 in November by all accounts was an amazing experience for people who attended. Sharing knowledge from around the globe generated energy and inspiration to expand plain language understanding and usage. While this issue of the PLAIN eJournal cannot re-create that energy, I hope sharing some of the knowledge that was presented in Brussels can inspire you, our readers, in your work.

    Published On: May 30, 2026

  • PLAIN eJournal Vol. 7, No. 2

    Read all the news about the 5 plain language standards with the International Organization for Standardization. So much has happened in the global plain language community since the ISO - International Organization for Standardization published ISO 24495-1:2023 Plain language Part 1: Governing principles and guidelines. The (Plain Language Association International) PLAIN eJournal has published some quick updates since then — mainly in the form of closing articles from the president of the International Plain Language Federation.

    Published On: September 25, 2025

  • PLAIN eJournal Vol. 7, No. 1 (2025)

    The latest issue of the PLAIN eJournal focuses on structure and design — how the visual appearance of a communication is just as important as the words.

    Published On: March 1, 2025

  • PLAIN eJournal Vol. 6, No. 2 (2024)

    Published during Plain Language Week, this issue explores the culture of plain language — how culture shapes our work and how plain language practitioners, in turn, help shift culture in their organisations and communities.

    Published On: October 18, 2024

  • PLAIN eJournal Vol. 6, No. 1 (2024)

    This edition reflects on four themes that emerged during PLAIN's 2023 conference in Buenos Aires: developments in Argentina, artificial intelligence, legal design, and organisational change.

    Published On: June 14, 2024

  • PLAIN eJournal Vol. 5, No. 2 (2023)

    Collaboration: The Heart of Plain Language Advancement — this issue explores the many forms collaboration can take in plain language work, from user testing and mentoring to international standards and AI-assisted editing.

    Published On: September 1, 2023

  • PLAIN eJournal Vol. 5, No. 1 (2023)

    This issue invites plain language practitioners from around the world to share their results proudly — with case studies, regional perspectives, and expert insights demonstrating the real impact of clear communication.

    Published On: March 1, 2023

  • PLAIN eJournal Vol. 4, No. 1 (2022)

    PLAIN's eJournal Vol. 4, No. 1 focuses on the theme of getting to know your reader — who they are, what challenges they face, and what they need — with contributions from 12 writers across 8 countries.

    Published On: March 1, 2022

  • PLAIN eJournal Vol. 3, No. 2 (2021)

    With the long-awaited plain language ISO standard in the final stages of approval, this issue reflects on the years of work that have gone into making it a reality, with articles by the people who developed it.

    Published On: September 1, 2021

  • PLAIN eJournal Vol. 3, No. 1 (2021)

    This issue focuses on the work of the International Plain Language Federation, with updates on the developing ISO plain language standard, progress on certification and training, and perspectives from plain language advocates across Europe.

    Published On: March 1, 2021

  • PLAIN eJournal Vol. 2, No. 1 (2020)

    This issue brings highlights from PLAIN's 12th international conference in Oslo, Norway, in September 2019, including Scandinavia's world-leading plain language models, the power of collaboration, and how plain language helps protect public safety.

    Published On: June 1, 2020

  • PLAIN eJournal Vol. 1, No. 1 (2019)

    This first issue of the PLAIN eJournal introduces six countries joining the global plain language network — Hungary, Germany, Japan, Chile, Argentina, and Colombia — showcasing the growing momentum for clear communication across languages and cultures.

    Published On: June 1, 2019

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