Checklist for Plain Language
Plain Language
-
written for the average reader
-
organized to serve the reader’s needs
-
has useful headings
-
uses “you” and other pronouns to speak to the reader
-
uses active voice
-
uses short sections and short sentences
-
uses the simplest tense possible—simple present is best
-
uses base verbs, not hidden verbs
-
omits excess words
-
uses concrete, familiar words
-
uses “must” to express requirements; avoids the ambiguous word “shall”
-
places words carefully (avoids large gaps between the subject, the verb and the object; puts exceptions last; places modifiers correctly)
-
uses lists and tables to simplify complex material
-
uses no more than two or three subordinate levels