Plain Language

By the end of the workshop, participants will have an understanding of how experts review documents for Plain Language compliance. They will be able to apply a simplified version of this framework to all of the written products they work on. They will have new tools to communicate the value of their work to stakeholders, including non-specialists, in a way that makes it easy for them to understand and take action.

Inside the Workshop

1st half

An introduction to Plain Language • What are the goals of Plain Language?

Who are your readers? • Define the audience(s) by asking questions about how and why they will use your document.

Can they find what they need? Part 1 • Does your document answer key reader questions?

2nd half

Can they find what they need? Part 2 • make documents more navigable and reader-friendly.

Can they understand it?• 5 foundational edits for Plain Language sentences.

Can they use it to meet their needs? • Use feedback to change your content and better serve your readers.

The workshop is highly interactive. With Zoom as our preferred platform, we use polling, chat, discussion, breakout rooms, and application to keep participants engaged and on their toes. Participants bring a piece of their own writing and work on it during the workshop.

After the workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Be familiar with the Plain Language movement and its goals

  • Leverage audience awareness for effective Plain Language communication

  • Evaluate the communication pitfalls for their organization, role, and subject matter

  • Use smart information design to create user-friendly content

  • Apply Plain Language edits that make sentences reader-friendly

  • Choose the right user-testing strategies for their Plain Language review process

  • Understand the uses and limitations of readability and grade-level testing tools

Delivery Details

  • 3 hours of instruction

  • Two 90-min or three 60-minute sessions

  • Up to 15 participants

  • Delivered virtually

  • Workshop customized with writing samples from your team, if provided.

“Casey and Grace were a delight to work with! They facilitated on-site Plain Language training for almost 150 of our team members. The training had a great pace, role-specific interactive elements, and the perfect amount of humor. I've received rave reviews about the usefulness of the content and the enjoyment our group got out of the sessions.”

-Whitney McVeigh, Assistant Direct, Learning Knowledge Management Southern New Hampshire University