Plain language
Clearer message, greater reach!
Plain language – a type of writing and editing that aims to present business and official texts in a way that can be understood by a wide audience. It is a language that allows one to read quickly and understand texts at a natural pace without putting in extra effort.
Often, when we write functional texts, we unintentionally complicate them, which can lead users to misunderstand the information or even lose interest in the service. Simple language solves this problem by making your content easy to understand and effective.
WHY PLAIN LANGUAGE IS IMPORTANT?
- Quickly understand information – complex texts require more time and effort, so plain language helps to save the reader’s time.
- Effective communication – clearly displayed information enhances trust and encourages activity, for example, purchasing a product, ordering a service or other actions.
- Wider audience – information conveyed in plain language is understandable not only for specialists but also for people without the specific knowledge of the field.
WHO BENEFITS FROM PLAIN LANGUAGE?
- Businesses: clearer internal documents and communication with customers.
- Marketing content: texts, which have to quickly draw attention and encourage action.
- Websites: simple content increases conversions and improves user experience.
- For documents held by public authorities: to ensure that the information would be understandable for all citizens.
- Law and medicine field documents: difficult concepts become more understandable for non-professionals.
- Finance sector: clear descriptions about accounts, loans, insurance, and investing.
- Technology and IT companies: manuals, product descriptions, and technical documentation understandable to a wide audience.
- E-commerce: simple product descriptions, return policy, and customer service information.
- Education sector: learning material for pupils and students of all levels.
- Non-profit organizations: clear messages for support campaigns, information on projects, and aid programs.
- Transport and logistics: clear travel plans, service descriptions, and conditions.
- Energy industry: easy-to-understand service plans, energy usage tips, and bill explanations.
- Retail: simple sales rules, loyalty program descriptions, and customer service process.
- Health services: instructions for patients, explanations of prescriptions, and descriptions of medical procedures.
- Tourism and hospitality industry: clear travel package descriptions, booking rules, and sights information.
- Insurance sector: clear explanations of insurance policies and benefit rules.
THE PRINCIPLES OF WRITING IN PLAIN LANGUAGE
- Use correct language.
- Write as you would talk to a child or an elderly person.
- Write in short sentences and avoid complex sentence structure.
- Address the reader directly (use pronouns such as “we”, and “you”).
- Avoid specialized terminology; explain it simply, if necessary.
- Put the most important information at the beginning.
- Use lists, tables, highlighted words and informative headings.
- Avoid redundant wording, e.g. “Please be informed that…”
- Use more verbs than nouns.
- Avoid a pompous and complicated style.
HOW CAN SKRIVANEK HELP?
- Rewrite your texts according to plain languages principles so that they would be understandable to any audience.
- Consult and prepare trainings for your staff on how to write in plain language.
- Create content from zero ensuring that the texts will be clear and effective.
HOW CAN SKRIVANEK HELP?
- Consultation: we understand your target audience and communication needs.
- Content analysis: we look through existing texts, evaluate their complexity.
- Plain language adaptation: we rewrite the texts or we create te content according to plain language principles.
- Feedback: we test and optimise the agreed text based on your feedback.
Contact us!
Plain language helps you communicate your message more effectively, increase engagement and ensure that your audience can easily understand the value you offer. Do you have complex texts? Let us simplify them – write and we’ll achieve better results together!