Examples of Plain English
Draft CD resource - Home > Designing print-based learning materials (CD) > Examples of the use of Plain English
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Demonstration of document design This is a Demonstration of document design. In the final resource this will be available in both graphic and text versions. Examples of over-officious language Example 1 No person shall damage, cut, saw, move, disturb, climb, prune, remove, chip, set fire to, burn, scorch, mutilate, take, deface, paint, mark, or in any manner interfere with any shrub, plant, tree, grass or flower, or part thereof, nor shall any person permit use of any chemical, whether solid, fluid, or gaseous, to applied upon, about or into any shrub, plant, tree, grass or flower, except when specifically authorised by the appropriate authority; nor shall any person permit the use of any heating device that in any way might injure or damage any shrub, plant, tree, grass or flower. What does this mean? Do not harm the plants! Example 2 Would you rewrite this to make it easier for students to understand? An appeal, comprising a written statement of the circumstances of the appeal, and supporting evidence if available, must be submitted in writing to the Director not more than seven days after the date on which the student receives notification of the relevant decision. A possible rewrite of the above paragraph If a student wishes to appeal a decision:
Example 3 How might the two paragraphs below be rewritten? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of the current version? The Minister has requested that the Authority provide its views and recommendations on the matter. The Authority engaged in a consultation process in August and September 2002 in relation to the issues involved in a move to the new system, following publication of a consultation paper in August 2002. Having considered the issues, the Authority has formed preliminary views, which it sets out in this paper. This paper begins by briefly describing the consultation process engaged in by the Authority and then describes the Authority’s views with regard to the key issues raised during its deliberations on the matter and during the consultation process. Example 4 The next example demonstrates writing directly to the reader, whilst keeping a formal tone to the document. To effect enrolment, students must complete all relevant sections of their enrolment form and sign the declaration on the form. The Higher Education Contribution Scheme payment option form must be completed and returned with the enrolment form. Example 5 Passive All forms must be returned prior to the commencement of the term. Active and more direct Return your enrolment form before term starts on 3 February. Example 6 An example of a sign CAUTION: These walkways when wet can in association with certain footwear become extremely slippery
A possible rewrite Slippery when wet Example 7 Resources with examples of bad writing Some examples of bad writing for your horror and amusement Stephen Chilton, University of Minnesota http://www.d.umn.edu/~schilton/Courses/Snippets.html
This is an extensive and amusing list of literary tangles.
Samples of Plain English Rewrites and Organizational Change Plain Language Association International http://www.plainlanguagenetwork.org/Samples/
This page includes some examples with rewrites from business, law, journalism, and technical writing.
Examples Plain English Campaign http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/examples.html
This site offers examples of bad written communication.
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