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Use this checklist
to see if your document meets plain language
standards (www.plainlanguage.gov).:
- written for the
average reader
- organized to serve
the reader’s needs
- has useful headings
- uses “you” and other
pronouns to speak to the reader
- uses active voice
- uses short sections
and sentences
- uses the simplest
tense possible—simple present is best
- usesbase verbs, not
nominalizations (hidden verbs)
- omits excess words
- uses concrete,
familiar words
- uses “must” to
express requirements; avoids the
ambiguous word “shall”
- places words
carefully (avoids large gaps between the
subject,
- the verb and the
object; puts exceptions last; places
modifiers correctly)
- uses lists and tables
to simplify complex material
- uses no more than two
or three subordinate levels
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Mission:
Providing quality result-driven documents to
engineers, scientists, and executives in
government and industry, specializing in the
principles of Plain Language |
“Communication strategies to reflect the
professionalism of your organization”
Please contact one of our
training representatives to discuss your
communication needs or to schedule a course.
Triple Crown Communications, LLC
Phone: 301.775.2587 Fax: 316.221.3571
E-mail:
cbalcher@triplecrowncom.com |
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