Whether you work for a government agency, private business, or non-profit organization, you want your clients to find, understand, and act confidently on the information you provide. That’s why clear and concise writing has become a hot topic in every industry and sector.
I recently briefed federal communication professionals about this trend in a plain language training class. I explained growing excitement for the Clear and Concise Content Act of 2023, both inside and outside of government.
If passed, this new bipartisan bill would include an important compliance metric which is missing from the current Plain Writing Act of 2010. The current law requires agencies to convey public information in plain language, but there are no enforcement elements, so many departments and agencies do not comply. These agencies are often highlighted with low or failing grades in the annual Center for Plain Language Federal Report Card.
The new bill, however, would require each agency to solicit public feedback on its compliance. Additionally, the Office of Management and Budget would file an annual report to Congress on implementation of the new law.
Everyone hopes the new bill will gain traction as both parties in Congress really do care about clear communications to the public.
In the meantime though, I’ll continue to translate tech talk and jargon into clear writing for real results. Contact me for plain language training, writing, or editing services!