Plain English

Plain English is an approach to writing that aims to make information clear, direct and readily understood by its intended audience. Unlike Simplified English, which is a controlled language with a prescribed vocabulary and detailed grammatical rules, Plain English is a set of principles rather than a rigid specification. Its purpose is not to restrict language but to encourage writers to communicate as effectively as possible.

The movement gained particular momentum during the 1970s, when governments, consumer organisations and legal reformers became increasingly concerned that official documents, insurance policies, contracts and public information were often obscured by jargon, unnecessarily complex sentence structures and archaic legal expressions. In the United Kingdom, the most influential advocate has been the Plain English Campaign, founded by Chrissie Maher in 1979 after a highly publicised protest in which official documents were shredded in Parliament Square. Since then, the campaign has worked with government departments, local authorities, charities and commercial organisations to improve the clarity of their publications. (Plain English)

Unlike ASD Simplified Technical English, Plain English is not defined by a single international standard or rulebook. There is broad agreement on its underlying principles, but different organisations express them in slightly different ways. Most definitions emphasise that a document should enable its intended audience to find the information they need, understand it the first time they read it and use it appropriately. International plain-language organisations similarly define plain language in terms of successful communication rather than compliance with a fixed vocabulary or grammar. (Wikipedia)

Although there is no universally accepted formal specification, several influential guides have shaped modern practice. In Britain, the Plain English Campaign's guidance encourages writers to use familiar words, short sentences, active verbs where appropriate, logical document structure, informative headings and carefully designed page layouts. It also stresses that visual presentation is part of effective communication; typography, white space and organisation are as important as word choice. Similar guidance appears in government style guides, such as those used by the UK Civil Service and the US federal government, although each adapts the principles to its own purposes.

One important distinction is that Plain English is audience-centred rather than language-centred. A document written in Plain English for engineers may legitimately contain technical terminology if the intended readers understand it. The objective is not to eliminate specialist vocabulary but to remove unnecessary complexity. By contrast, Simplified English deliberately restricts vocabulary and syntax even when the audience consists of technical specialists.

There is indeed an award closely associated with Plain English. Since 1990, the Plain English Campaign has awarded the Crystal Mark, a certification granted to documents that meet its standards for clarity and usability. Organisations submit documents for review, and those that satisfy the campaign's requirements may display the Crystal Mark as evidence that the material has been independently assessed for readability. The mark has been awarded to tens of thousands of documents in the United Kingdom and internationally, making it one of the most widely recognised symbols of clear communication. (Plain English)

The campaign is also well known for its satirical awards. The Golden Bull Award, first presented in the early 1980s, highlights particularly poor examples of bureaucratic or unnecessarily obscure writing. It draws attention to documents that are verbose, confusing or laden with jargon, serving as a humorous reminder of the importance of clear communication. A related distinction, the Foot in Mouth Award, is presented annually for especially baffling or ill-judged public statements by politicians and other public figures. (Wikipedia)

Today, Plain English is widely regarded as a hallmark of good professional writing rather than a specialised technique. It influences government publications, legal drafting, healthcare information, financial documents and technical communication throughout the English-speaking world. Although it lacks the formal rules and measurable compliance of controlled languages such as ASD Simplified Technical English, its principles have become deeply embedded in modern communication practice. Most professional communicators now regard clarity, conciseness and consideration of the reader as essential qualities of effective writing, reflecting the enduring influence of the Plain English movement. (Plain English)