Plain English, Yes

     The Web sites listed below advocate and offer resources for simplifying and clarifying language in government and professional documents. 

• PlainLanguage.gov, "Improving Communication from the Federal Government to the Public"

• Plain English Handbook from the Securities and Exchange Commission: How to Write Clear SEC Disclosure Documents

(PDF format)

• Examples of the Cost Benefits of Plain Language from the Center for Plain Language

• Video interviews about plain language from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

• Legal Writing Institute, “dedicated to improving legal writing by providing a forum for discussion and scholarship about legal writing, analysis, and research”

• Burton Foundation “honors partners in law firms and law school students who use plain, clear and concise language and avoid archaic, stilted legalese”

• Tools to Fight Jargon from the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation

• “Jabberwocky Junkies,” an entertaining essay by Tony Proscio with the sub-title, “Why we're hooked on buzz words and why we need to kick the habit.” From The Grantsmanship Center magazine, Fall 2002

• Design Guidelines for Readability from NASA's Usability Engineering Team