On-line Masterclass

Plain English

Clear or Plain English writing is a valuable image-enhancing and money saving tool in creating better communications. Messages which are friendly, informative and easy to read, are more easily accepted.

Despite a growing consumer demand for clear, concise and intelligible information on goods and services, some organisations deliberately continue to use jargon and overly formal styles in their business communications. While some may use jargon because they can’t communicate in any other way, others choose to hide behind jargon because it makes them feel important or they have something they wish to hide.

Clear English writing keeps the reader firmly in mind from start to finish. Respecting your reader as an individual will help you create clear and concise communications which set the right tone and meet the needs of different groups of people.

Once you have a clear idea of who you are communicating with, you then create your message with short sentences, everyday language, and words like "you" and "I". (More on Link page )

Here are some examples:

Change This:
I refer to our recent telephone conversation and would like to advise that the undernoted arrangements have been made.

To This:
As agreed the arrangements are.....

Change This:
With reference to your letter of 26 March, please find enclosed herewith the updated version of the documents you requested in order to make it possible for you to complete your copy of the application form.

To This:
Thank you for your letter of 26 march. I have enclosed the information you requested.

Change This:
The team experienced difficulty finishing the report on time.

To This:
The report is late.

Change This:
To ensure that your organisation is represented in the forthcoming edition of our catalogue you must be a non-profit making unit in London with more than 100 members with special needs, receive no government funding.

To This:
You can be included in our new catalogue if you:

Are non-profit making
Based in London
Have a maximum of 100 members with special needs