Browse by keyword "Readability"
1. AECMA Simplified English (2002)
Series: Plain Language Association International (PLAIN) - Fourth Biennial Conference
Authors: Poppy Quintal
Collection: Research Materials
Poppy gave a brief history of how and why Simplified English (SE) was developed, and an overview of the SE rules for vocabulary and grammatical style. A before-and-after analysis of cautions and warnings showed the benefits of SE to an industry in which quick and clear understanding of maintenance procedures is a vital safety consideration.
Added: 2003-04-30
2. Assessing the Complexity of Literacy Tasks: A guide to analysis with examples and exercises (2002)
Series: Plain Language Association International (PLAIN) - Fourth Biennial Conference
Authors: Michel Gauthier, Julian Evetts
Collection: Research Materials
Michel presented a new tool called “Assessing the Complexity of Literacy Tasks.” It is designed to help document designers understand the ability levels of readers as defined in the International Adult Literacy Survey. This complexity-rating tool, based on the work of Irwin Kirsh and Peter Mosenthal, can help information designers ensure that the level of complexity of public information matches the literacy level of the target readers. It complements plain language techniques and can deal with some of the shortfalls of readability formulas based on school grade levels.
Added: 2003-03-06
3. The Assumptions Behind Plain Legal Language (2002)
Some thoughts for the PLAIN conference, Toronto 2002
Series: Plain Language Association International (PLAIN) - Fourth Biennial Conference
Authors: Peter Butt
Collection: Research Materials
In a panel discussion chaired by Joseph Kimble, Brian Hunt and Peter Butt argued the assumptions behind the use of plain legal language. Brian posed the questions: Is there really a demand for plain language legislation? Would plain language legislation function as intended? Peter presented evidence from recent research supporting the claim that plain language benefits legal documents and statutes.
Added: 2003-03-14
4. A Brief History of Plain Language (2002)
Series: Plain Language Association International (PLAIN) - Fourth Biennial Conference
Authors: Sally McBeth
Collection: Research Materials
Although we often think of George Orwell's classic essay on the politics of language as the starting place for the plain language movement, we are part of a tradition of advocacy for grace, simplicity, and equity in communication that goes back to Chaucer and beyond him, to the hybrid beginnings of the English language. Sally's short historical tour honoured the work of the plain language pioneers in our midst.
Added: 2002-01-01
5. Business Communication for Accountants at Wits (2002)
Series: Plain Language Association International (PLAIN) - Fourth Biennial Conference
Authors: Deirdre Viviers
Collection: Research Materials
South Africa has 27 spoken and 11 official languages, and no uniform level of proficiency in English. Yet education, access to information and transparency are basic human rights, according to the new constitution. Plain language therefore plays a vital role in attaining these goals. Because plain language skills are also necessary for successful participation in the business community, the School of Accountancy at the University of the Witwatersrand developed a Business Communications course. Deirdre described the rationale for and design of the course, with a focus on the centrality of plain language.
Added: 2003-04-09
6. Clear Language and Organizational Change (2002)
Series: Plain Language Association International (PLAIN) - Fourth Biennial Conference
Authors: Jamie Lamothe
Collection: Research Materials
The goal of Public Health is to promote and protect health and prevent disease. Jamie explained how, at Halton, clear language is one component of a larger “Equal Access Strategy” that aims to remove barriers to public health services. Participants who attended this presentation learned about the energy needed to champion a clear language strategy in a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment; and the rewards that accrue to an organization embracing change.
Added: 2003-04-02
7. Clear Language Guide for the Construction Industry (2011)
Authors: Hammond and Associates Inc.
Collection: Learning Materials
This document is housed on the Hammond & Associates website: http://www.hammondassociatesinc.com.
In this guide, specifically aimed at the construction industry, the author offers a guide to preparing clear, readable workplace documents.
The guide is divided into five sections, summed up in the acronym CLEAR: Clarify the message; Learn about your readers; Expand your idea; Apply the principles; and Review your work.
The guide includes examples of documents rewritten according to the principles of clear language, along with numerous tips for clarifying the message in a document. In addition to hints for composing a clear message, there are also suggestions for using type size, fonts and capitalization to make documents easier to read.
The author explains that using clear language in the workplace provides real benefits by helping workers understand the message; lessening the chance that information will be misinterpreted; and increasing the chance that instructions will be carried out properly.
Funders:
- Government of Alberta
Added: 2011-09-06
8. Clear Language Guide for the Food Services Industry (2010)
Authors: Hammond and Associates Inc.
Collection: Learning Materials
This document is housed on the Hammond & Associates website: http://www.hammondassociatesinc.com.
Focusing specifically on the food services industry, this guide helps the user to prepare clear, readable workplace documents.
The author uses the acronym CLEAR to explain the message found in the guide’s five sections: Clarify the message; Learn about your readers; Expand your idea; Apply the principles; and Review your work.
The guide includes examples of documents rewritten according to the principles of clear language, as well as numerous tips for simplifying and clarifying the message in a document. For example, changing text from the third person (he/she) to the second person (you) can make a document much easier to understand.
Using clear language in the workplace provides real benefits, the author notes. It helps workers understand the message; lessens the chance that information will be misinterpreted; and increases the chance that instructions will be carried out properly.
Funders:
- Government of Alberta
Added: 2011-09-07
9. Clear Writing and Literacy (2000)
Authors: Ruth Baldwin
Collection: Research Materials
This booklet is about writing to be understood. It will provide some ideas about what makes material difficult to read, and some tips on how to better communicate.
The ideas found in this booklet can be applied to any kind of writing. However, they are most important if one is writing for adults who are not comfortable getting information from print, either because they don't read well, or because English is not their first language.
Funders:
Added: 2004-09-08
10. Creating a 30-second commercial: How to "grab 'm & sell 'm" (2002)
Series: Plain Language Association International (PLAIN) - Fourth Biennial Conference
Authors: Danna Yuhas
Collection: Research Materials
If you attend breakfast meetings, luncheons, trade shows, or social gatherings, you need to have a ready-made answer to the question “What do you do?” For plain language professionals, it's not always easy to come up with a snappy answer. At the end of this interactive workshop, participants could develop a 30-second commercial that clearly described what their company does and how their products or services can benefit customers.
Added: 2003-04-30
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