Plain English

What is Plain English?

Plain English is clear, straightforward expression, using only as many words as are necessary. It is language that avoids obscurity, inflated vocabulary and convoluted sentence construction. It is not baby talk, nor is it a simplified version of the English language. Writers of plain English let their audience concentrate on the message instead of being distracted by complicated language. They make sure that their audience understands the message easily.
Professor Robert Eagleson

Plain English is Good English

The main goal in writing is to put your message across clearly and concisely. Readers want an effortless, readable and clear writing style. Plain English is clear English – it is simple and direct but not simplistic.

Write and Edit like a Professional

Newspapers such as the Financial Times or the Washington Post; magazines such as The Economist, Time and Newsweek; and best-selling books use the straightforward, plain English style. Why? Because professional writers and editors know a clear style helps their readers understand and absorb the information presented.

Newspaper subeditors spend around 90 percent of their time improving articles by cutting, simplifying and rearranging the words into a clearer style. Here’s a typical redraft of a press release where the subeditor is breaking the poor writing habits of the author, to produce a better and stronger writing style.

Original Press release

A leading industry expert, Mr Bob Jones, head of the Small Business Bureau, claimed today the Government’s proposal to introduce minimum working week legislation will require wider public consultation to be undertaken. If the government follows this advice, interested parties will be given an opportunity to understand and raise their concerns prior to the legislation being enacted by Parliament. “Industry, trade bodies and unions need to study the draft bill before the Government introduces this new law,” said Mr Jones.

stylewriter's analysis
Words: 80
Style Index: 75 (Poor)

Style Index Explained

Sub-editor’s Redraft

Mr Bob Jones, head of the Small Business Bureau, said of the Government’s 35-hour working week proposal: “Industry, trade bodies and unions need to study the draft bill before the Government introduces this new law.”












stylewriter's analysis
Words: 35 (56% shorter)
Style Index: 0 (Excellent)

Style Index Explained

Plain English Checklist

Plain English editing and a professional editor’s skills are similar. Both use commonsense rules to guide them to produce a more concise, clearer style. The 10 most important editing principles are:

1. Think of your reader’s needs.
2. Organize your content well.
3. Write in a natural style as if you were talking to the reader.
4. Keep sentences short.
5. Use active verbs.
6. Be specific rather than general.
7. Cut all redundant words and phrases.
8. Use simpler words rather than complex words.
9. Cut down on jargon.
10. Edit vigorously.

Good Writing Comes from Strong Editing

The secret to becoming a better writer is to use these principles to edit your draft. Here is a typical business memo. Good editing, using these principles cuts its length by more than half and results in a clearer style.

Business Style

The Staff Booking Database
The main purpose of the Staff Booking Database (SBD) is for the recording of staff booking requests which in turn provides the total recurring audit cost for each client.

As a result of the recent merger that has taken place and hence the increase in the numbers of staff and clients, it is important that each business unit (BU) be used in such a way as to track and collate all staff movements.

The use of the SBD allows managers in each BU to rethink on an annual basis, the way the audit was performed and make any necessary amendments to the amount of staff and the mix of skills required for the following year.

Implementing a formal process and system will not only make sure that all staff are receiving the right type of experience and exposure as they progress, but it should also be of assistance in guaranteeing our clients are receiving the most suitable mix of staff.

stylewriter's analysis
Words: 164
Style Index: 106 (Dreadful)

Style Index Explained

Plain English Redraft

The Staff Booking Database
This Database records staff booking requests to calculate the audit costs for each client.
Because the merger increased our staff and client numbers, each business unit can now use the Staff Booking Database to track and collate staff movements.

The Database allows managers to rethink how they perform the audit each year and change the staff and skills needed the following year.

This yearly review makes sure employees have the right work experience and our clients receive the best staff to carry out each audit.
















stylewriter's analysis
Words: 89 (59% shorter)
Style Index: 11 (Excellent)

Style Index Explained

Is plain English or plain language too simple for my readers?

No. Many people think plain writing means simplistic, boring or childish, but Plain English means clear English. Think of plain English editing as cutting out the complexity and redundancy in your writing to leave a clear, streamlined and flowing style your readers can understand effortlessly. It’s the writing style of the best professional writers and communicators.

Get your message across while keeping your individual style

Using plain English does not mean everyone’s writing must sound the same. Writers will express ideas differently, but all writing, especially business and government writing, must still be clear. Writing in plain English means keeping to commonsense principles to produce a clear document.

For writing punchy, effective text, even with your own whimsical style, look no further.
Good Software Guide

Variety comes from writers keeping to clear expression, but choosing different content, vocabulary, examples and analogies and so on.

Good editing simply removes the bad style habits so your individual writing style can shine through. There’s plenty of room for individual style, rhetoric and imaginative writing. So let StyleWriter help you get rid of your poor writing habits and let you express yourself in your own words.

Next: Who needs plain English?