How is the Plain Writing Act of 2010 (also known as the Plain Language Act) enforced for federal agencies?
The Plain Writing Act of 2010 does not have an enforcement component. Non compliant agencies are not fined or punished, but every year the Center for Plain Language reviews federal department and agency websites to evaluate how well agencies follow the Plain Writing Act. See how agencies implemented the Plain Language Guidelines, or not: 2022 Federal Plain Language Report Card. Contact me if you want to improve your agency grade.
What are the most important plain language resources?
- Plain Language Training – contact me
What is the latest research about plain language enforcement?
Check out Regulating Plain Language, the latest research about enforcement of plain language legal requirements across all industries, by Michael Blasie, Seattle University School of Law (April 2023 by SSRN Research)
The Plain Writing Act applies to public or external communication, but can my agency train all staff to use plain language guidelines for internal communication?
Yes. The implementation plan gives agencies the power to decide who gets plain language training and when. See the Department of Energy example: “Plain language classes are open to all DOE employees and contractors…” Contact me for customized plain language writing training.
What is the best book about change management for personal and professional change?
Bridges, William. “Transitions: Making Sense of Life’s Changes: 40th Edition” Hatchette Book Group, 2019, https://www.amazon.com/Transitions-Making-Sense-Lifes-Changes/dp/0738285404
What are the best articles about business and work culture for communications specialists in government?
Sutton, Robert I. “Why I wrote the No Asshole Rule” Harvard Business Magazine, 2007, https://hbr.org/2007/03/why-i-wrote-the-no-asshole-rule.
Oncken, William Jr. Wass, Donald L. “Who’s Got the Monkey” Harvard Business Review, 1999, https://hbr.org/1999/11/management-time-whos-got-the-monkey.
Royster, S. “Goggin’s Law” Urban Dictionary, 2010.
Clutter is the disease of American writing. We are a society strangling in unnecessary words, circular constructions, pompous frills and meaningless jargon.”
William Zinsser, On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction