The Center for Plain Language

by Laura Brown 

Originally Published Jan 28, 2013 

Do you ever wish that government and business documents were easier to understand? You’re not alone. The proliferation of legalese and other gobbledygook in official documents can render important information almost completely inaccessible.

The folks who run The Center for Plain Language are trying to do something about this problem. The Center’s mission includes the following:

• Advocate for people to use, learn, and teach plain language in government, business, non-profits, and universities.
• Give people information and tools they need to achieve their plain language goals.
• Do and share research that identifies best practices for using, learning, and teaching plain language.
• Coordinate activities, such as workshops and presentations, that help people know more about and use plain language.

This month, the Center is soliciting nominations for their ClearMark Award, for documents or websites that do an exemplary job in communicating their message clearly. Winners from the 2012 competition include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, the National Center for Education Statistics, and Simply Student Aid, LLC, among others. To make a nomination, please visit the Center’s nomination page here. Nominations close January 31, 2013.