Home When writing any type of document, a questionnaire, manual or legal document, test your plain language document on typical readers. Natural Language Processing Automates Plain Language Analysis. You can choose different sets of allowed words, among them Ogden's Basic English, Top 5000 English words from Wikipedia and others and our … 2d ed. The company is going to... Today, Microsoft officially ends Windows 7 support. Shopping Cart, myWriterTools And "Turn the red LED on" is a valid and typical routine call. Both the Cochrane and Campbell Collaborations emphasize the need for systematic reviews to be usable by members of the public. The facility has a strict security policy. Plain language is clear, succinct writing designed to ensure the reader understands as quickly and completely as possible. Selective Bibliography Kenneth A. Adams, Legal Usage in Drafting Corporate Agreements (2001) Asprey, Michèle M. Plain Language for Lawyers. It avoids verbose, convoluted language and jargon. P.O. The HLA was designed to save you time: Works entirely within Microsoft Word, no cutting/pasting to a separate program Offers a full array of readability formulas Use myWordCount to count words and phrases and color-code them to help you find overused items. Most people only remember one-third of the training ideas and put even fewer into practice. Tips to help you write more clearly For figures that extend to more than one page, repeat the name and figure number on each page. How you organize the document and what headings you include are extremely important in determining what effect your document will have on its readers. Original: We must receive your completed application form on or before the 15th day of the second month following the month you are reporting if you do not submit your application electronically or the 25 th day of the second month following the month you are reporting if you submit your application electronically. What is Plain Text? When you address the reader as “you”, he or she feels directly addressed and is more likely to understand what his or her responsibility is. 2. We believe that using plain language saves federal agencies time and money and provides better service to the American public. Help users picture themselves in the text. This document provides a description of the … There were rumours that Haali Reader can open Microsoft LIT files... Copernic Summarizer can create shorter versions of texts. Plain English allows spaces wherever spaces are normally found in written English. Shall is an ambiguous word. See more information on using myWriterTools to Once you have purchased our myWriterTools or word-counting myWordCount writing software programs, you can make 20% on purchases made by friends or associates that you refer to our website. Write to everyone who is interested, not just to technical or legal experts. They also look easier to read and understand. Also identify people who will be interested in the document, even if they are not directly affected. Accentuate the positive when you can. A plain text file differs from a word processor file because plain text contains only the letters, numbers, and symbols that appear on a standard keyboard, known as the ASCII character set. But there remains much room for improvement. It saves time and money and makes content easier to find, read, understand and act on. The PolyForm Project is a group of experienced licensing lawyers and technologists developing simple, standardized, plain-language software source code licenses. Leichhardt, N.S.W. Using more than one multiple negative muddles the meaning of a document. It includes setting a tone, organizing concepts, and using layout, graphics, and formats to help readers understand. 1. To achieve the highest rate of comprehension from your readers, here are some guidelines on structure: Use figures such as charts, tables, and other illustrative material as examples to explain complex material. Then choose one! PLA - Plain Language Analysis Tool lets you analyze any document you can imagine to first make it clear, concise and unambiguous using the Plain Language technique and second analyze it … It is also a devise for balancing lists: The FAA conducted the seminar carefully, skillfully, and wisely. And keep in mind the average reader’s level of technical expertise. It analyzes the raw pdf file directly... MagikWord is a word game in which you form words to free frogs and earn a number of trophies. Revised: We must receive your completed application form on or before the following dates: State related ideas in similar grammatical form. : The Federation Press, 1996. Revised: Changes will be made to the Department of Transportation’s regulations only if the administrator reviews them and concludes they are lacking important information. Mention or introduce every figure in the text before it occurs and place the figure close to the text that explains it. Revised: The FAA under new regulations will conduct monthly random security checks if there is a terrorist alert. Plain language is more than just using short words. While shall cannot mean “should” or “may,” writers have used it incorrectly for those terms and it has been read that way by courts. Whenever possible, use active voice in your writings. Use vertical lists: Vertical lists highlight a series of items in a visually clear way. Aim for an average sentence length of 20 words, with no one sentence running over 40 words. Overview of Plain-Language Alerts. Government writing is often too wordy. Winner of a Gold Plain Language Award from t… Revised: Because you are alumni, you should help the incoming freshman. Sleek and simple application It opens in … It can mean must, ought, or will. In the legal field, plain languag… Passive voice: The ball was hit by Conor. Learn More. In Simple English. When your writing reflects this, it is more economical and has a greater impact on the reader. A plain language summary describes findings from a systematic review in everyday language that is understandable to a non-research audience. Here are some examples of excess words in our writing and plain alternatives: Original: At the present time, the FAA in accordance with new regulations will on a monthly basis conduct random security checks in the event that there is a terrorist alert. All benefit when their users are better able to access the information provided. Orinda, CA 94563. It’s especially important to test documents that will be used by many readers, such as forms, standard letters, and regulations. Using plain language is the most effective way to communicate clear information and instructions when an emergency occurs and time is of the essence. Plain Language Tools. © 2013-2021 .38 Long LLC. Make your proofreading job easier. The Health Literacy Advisor (HLA) is a powerful software tool to help you assess and improve the readability of your documents using plain language principles. improve your document's readability on our Lighten Up page. Giving the reader a short comprehensive text will help you identify if your document is user-friendly or easily comprehended. This free online English language tool helps you to restrict your vocabulary to the 850-word Ogden "Basic" or "Simple English" set, or by other criteria. Windows 7 end of support: what should you do. Plain English editing software means writers constantly learn ways to improve their style. The more identification you have the better. The four most common pairs are these: This is a formula that indicates items joined by it can be taken either together or as alternatives.