1. We spoke about Plain English writing in class. Please answer the following in detail:
a. How would you explain to someone what “Plain English writing” is? (4 Marks)
Plain English writing is straight to the point, helping people understand your content fast and clearly. It avoids using big words that people might not understand, making it relatable and easier for people to read or process any information. (Briscoe, W8 – A – Plain Language Writing (W25).pdf, Slide 41-42, 16) They also engage better with it and remember it for longer than information that is too context for them.(Briscoe, W8 – A – Plain Language Writing (W25).pdf, Slide 14, 17) Plain english writing is a website or document in english, that has these three factors to help readers: finding exactly what they need, use it to fulfill their purpose and understand it. (Briscoe, W8 – A – Plain Language Writing (W25).pdf, Slide 18, 62) Knowing your audience, using common words, being concise, using pronouns and keeping your tone conversational, choosing strong verbs, using clear formats, like headings, lists, tables and infographics, reviewing your language to measure your success are all crucial steps in order to have a proper website or document consisting of plain english writing for your designated target audience and readers. (Briscoe, W8 – A – Plain Language Writing (W25).pdf, Slide 20, 22, 39, 57-59) Using plain english writing will make your audience more likely to be engaged, pay attention and raise an interest in it. (Briscoe, W8 – A – Plain Language Writing (W25).pdf, Slide 14) The key for plain english content is understanding your target audience, who they are, what they currently know, and what they need to know or find out. (Briscoe, W8 – A – Plain Language Writing (W25).pdf, Slide 20, 29) In conclusion, Plain english writing saves readers time from reading an unnecessary amount of information, it is not using “dumb” words, but clear, concise and correct content that is time-effective, making sure readers obtain the information targeted to them, avoiding false unclear content that isn’t fully correct and concise. (Briscoe, W8 – A – Plain Language Writing (W25).pdf, Slide 14, 70, 3, 21).
b. What makes plain English writing different? (4 Marks)
Plain english writing is different in that it focuses more, making it easier for the readers to read and understand better rather than just how the writer writes, and their knowledge about it, using their own words and style. (Briscoe, W8 – A – Plain Language Writing (W25).pdf, Slide 15, 20.)
Plain english writing is focused on giving clear over complex information, avoiding using over complicated words that the audience most likely will not know or understand unless it is a term that does not have other justifications or synonyms. (Briscoe, W8 – A – Plain Language Writing (W25).pdf, Slide 22, 41, 42) It is simple but not overly simple and straight to the point, it delivers the main message instantly which is what most people like to see using language the targeted audience would typically use or engage with daily, which also leaves more space for other audiences to understand it. (Briscoe, W8 – A – Plain Language Writing (W25).pdf, Slide 21, 20, 53) It also makes it different because it benefits readers in finding whatever they need, understand and use it. (Briscoe, W8 – A – Plain Language Writing (W25).pdf, Slide 18, 62) In conclusion, Plain english writing is clear, concise and correct, avoiding lots of writing that does not get to the main point until the end, over-explaining and lots of details that people would not necessarily find interesting in, using short sentences, stating the main points, with proper organization and a clear voice. (Briscoe, W8 – A – Plain Language Writing (W25).pdf, Slide 3, 53, 70, 45) The way it is presented is also a key factor to plain english writer, because organization that is effective for the audience is a need, placing the main points and most important factors at the beginning, using headlines or simple headings for people to automatically understand what the topic will be about instead of reading pages of text. (Briscoe, W8 – A – Plain Language Writing (W25).pdf, Slide 45-46, 57-59)
c. What is plain language writing for the web and in detail and in your own words, why is it important?(4 Marks)
Plain english language writing for the web is creating/writing content that your designated audience will understand right away the first time they read or even take a quick look at it. Using words people see or read everyday, short and clear sentences and properly organized, this helps readers and people clicking on the website, navigate easier, finding exactly what they need or what they look for, have an understanding of it and finally want to find out more. Plain english language is made for websites because people would rather scan the information by quick headlines and short text, or flexboxes, bullet points etc. Plain english content is crucial for websites because it makes it accessible to everyone, including people who might struggle with spelling or reading, or that do not know the language super well, those with dyslexia it also improves customer interaction especially with information like headlines, CTA messages that are clear and express the main topics and points, and also answering questions people might have. This is very time-efficient, reducing confusion and avoids irrelevant information that would make readers want to exit the website or click on something else. This writing also builds and earns trust by having clear and delivering correct information instead of using irrelevant or information that would not help them at all, or false statements. In conclusion, plain english language is very important for the web, because the content is not just writing, it is backed up by facts, easily understandable, that the audience would engage with and use it, making it very effective for a website to get success and bring in even more readers. (Briscoe, W8 – A – Plain Language Writing Quick recap (W25).pdf, all Slides)
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