Plainlanguage

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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