Plain Talk
Governor Gregoire’s “Plain Talk” Executive Order 05-03 requires all state agencies to use simple and clear language when communicating with citizens and businesses.
Why Plain Talk?
“Translating” long, difficult messages takes everyone a lot of time. It also can lead to errors, misunderstandings and frustration. Plain language documents can be read and understood quickly. That means your customers will comply faster and more accurately with regulations.
What is Plain Talk?
Plain Talk messages are clear, concise and visually easy to read. They contain common words, rather than jargon, acronyms or unnecessary legal language.
Check out the Plain Talk Guidelines and learn more about Plain Talk.
- Oct 15th: Full Committee Meeting
- For more 2009 meeting dates, click here.
All meetings take place at the Department of Labor and Industries, Tumwater
Did you know you can set your computer to alert you each time you write an inactive (or "passive") sentence?
We can all fall into the passive trap when we're writing - especially when we're tired, or when we feel the need to be vague, or when we're writing something that's dull.
What's a "passive" or "inactive" sentence? The active sentence lets the reader know who is responsible for doing what, which tends to eliminate confusion. In an inactive sentence, the reader can't tell who is doing what and - often - to whom it is being done. That's why inactive sentences make instructions so confusing - and why plain language writers avoid them.
- Inactive sentence: The bill was sent on Sept. 1.
- Active sentence: We sent the bill to you on Sept. 1.
Here's how to set up Microsoft Word so you are alerted every time you type a passive sentence. Go to: Tools, Spelling and Grammar, Options, Settings, When you are in "Settings," scroll down to "Style" and check the box next to "Passive sentences".
Click here to get more information about passive sentences and other Plain Talk writing guidelines.