Use plain and clear language

Applicable Role(s): Content Creator

Overview

Making content as simple as possible helps all users understand your content, and complete tasks like registering for an event successfully. Simple, clear structure can also help users with reading or cognitive disabilities, where it is more difficult to read complex content.

Best Practices

Supplement text with illustration, and vice versa

Having visuals along with text may help visitors with reading disorders or cognitive disabilities understand your content in multiple ways, rather than just relying on visuals or text alone.

Keep your text concise

Long pages with blocks and blocks of text can be intimidating for users with reading disabilities. It also requires the user to read through text blocks just to understand the basic ideas of the page. Say what you want to say as simply as possible.

Some other considerations:

  • A 3-5 line paragraph is a decent size for most users.
  • Sentences should be about 20-25 words on average, using different lengths as needed.
  • Use 1-3 syllable words, with variation as needed. Longer words can be used, but differing syllable length can make longer words more readable within text.
  • Use contractions where suitable, rather than the full version of the word or phrase
    • Example: "can't" vs. "cannot," "don't" vs. "do not", "wouldn't" vs. "would not", etc.

Be as literal as possible

Some people may find sarcasm or parody in written form confusing, and there are no nonverbal cues to otherwise indicate sarcasm. When in doubt, say what you mean.

Pattern Examples

Supplementing Images and Text

In the brand/communication feeds guide, the steps are outlined both in text and images.

Steps for creating a view, highlighting both text and a screenshot

Keeping Text Concise

Some examples borrowed from plainlanguage.gov:

Long vs. Concise Phrases
Instead of Use
I proofread the report prior to the meeting I proofread the report before the meeting
In order to complete your application... To complete your application...
To troubleshoot, try the following To troubleshoot, try this
Their claim was totally unrealistic. Their claim was absurd.
It is particularly difficult to reconcile the somewhat differing views expressed by the management team. It is difficult to reconcile the differing views expressed by the management team.
Total disclosure of all facts is very important to make sure we draw up a total and completely accurate picture of the Agency’s financial position. Disclosing all facts is important to creating an accurate picture of the Agency’s financial position.

Using Literal Voice

 Figures of speech like metaphors may not always translate equally to different cultures, and can be confusing for someone with a reading or language barrier. Instead of saying "it's going to rain cats and dogs," for example, it's better to say what is meant--"we can expect heavy rain."