Other plain-language resources
Plain language
For more information about plain language, concise writing and global English, check out the resources listed below or contact the style guide staff.
State of Washington | U.S. government | Other governments | Other organizations
Plain-language initiative of Washington state government
External links:
- Washington State Plain Talk Guidelines: Office of Governor Jay Inslee
- Plain Talk at Ecology--principles, resources and other information on writing clearly at the state Department of Ecology.
Plain-language programs of U.S. government agencies
External links:
- Federal Plain Language Guidelines, Plain Language Information and Action Network
- Plain Language -- Before and After Examples from Plain Language Information and Action Network
- Plain Writing: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Federal Aviation Administration: FAA's Plain Language Program
- Federal Register: Plain Language Tools, U.S. National Archives & Records Administration
- U.S. Department of Transportation, Plain Language Overview
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Plain Language Resources
- Department of Health and Human Services: Write in Plain Language, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Writing Web Content: Research-Based Web Design and Usability Guidelines, Usability.gov.
Plain Language Online Training--free interactive program developed by the National Institute of Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (use the Browse button for non-NIH employees)
Plain Language: A Handbook for Writers in the U.S. Federal Government , Richard Lauchman (PDF, 287KB)
Back to home page of King County plain-language writing guide
Other government websites & resources
External links:
- Toolkit for Making Written Material Clear and Effective (with Guidelines for Culturally Appropriate Translation): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
- Plain Language, State of Oregon
-
Limited English Proficiency Resources and Information: LEP.gov -- A Federal Interagency Website
- Writing with Web Accessibility in Mind: Stanford University Online Accessibility Program
Other organizations
External links:
- Plain Language Association InterNational--a volunteer group of plain-language advocates and professionals in public, nonprofit and private organizations. PLAIN's website provides free articles, tutorials and Web links about writing, government programs, legal resources, literacy, and other related topics.
- Center for Plain Language--a U.S.-based nonprofit membership organization of people in government, academia and business who are dedicated to promoting and supporting the use of plain language in the public and private sectors.
- Clarity--an international association promoting plain legal language.
- Plain Language Commission--a private organization in the United Kingdom that offers free articles on writing, readability, jargon, standards of English, legal English and grammar.
Other useful references on plain language; clear, concise writing; global English
External information or links:
- Grammar Girl: How to Write a Compelling Introductory Paragraph
- Legal Writing in Plain English, Bryan A. Garner, author of Garner's Modern American Usage | Exercises from Legal Writing in Plain English
- Oxford Guide to Plain English, Martin Cutts, leader of the Plain Language Commission and co-founder of the Plain English Campaign-- Excerpts
- The Plain English Approach to Business Writing, Edward P. Bailey Jr.
- Plain English at Work: A Guide to Writing and Speaking, Edward P. Bailey Jr.--includes The Plain English Approach to Business Writing)
- Plain English Lexicon: A guide to whether your words will be understood (free PDF download), Martin Cutts, Plain Language Commission, United Kingdom
- Write Tight: How to Keep Your Prose Sharp, Focused and Concise, William Brohaugh
Also see Online and print resources, King County Editorial Style Manual.
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