Comments on: The Sanity of Plain Language http://workawesome.com/communication/the-sanity-of-plain-language/ Work Better. Live Better. Wed, 23 May 2012 16:01:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Cliff Tyllick http://workawesome.com/communication/the-sanity-of-plain-language/#comment-41852 Cliff Tyllick Sun, 10 Apr 2011 00:00:42 +0000 http://workawesome.com/?p=2444#comment-41852 Not yet a law? The Plain Writing Act of 2010 was signed into law by President Obama in October. Read a summary and find links to more information at http://www.plainlanguage.gov/plLaw/index.cfm Not yet a law? The Plain Writing Act of 2010 was signed into law by President Obama in October. Read a summary and find links to more information at http://www.plainlanguage.gov/plLaw/index.cfm

]]> By: I’m sorry I haven’t a clue! Is marketing being swallowed up by tech-speak and buzzwords? http://workawesome.com/communication/the-sanity-of-plain-language/#comment-27755 I’m sorry I haven’t a clue! Is marketing being swallowed up by tech-speak and buzzwords? Fri, 21 Jan 2011 12:52:57 +0000 http://workawesome.com/?p=2444#comment-27755 [...] and confusing the issue that it’s time to go back to basics. Plain language, as discussed in this rather amusing article, goes a long [...] [...] and confusing the issue that it’s time to go back to basics. Plain language, as discussed in this rather amusing article, goes a long [...]

]]> By: Brad Marley » Blog Archive » Weekly Grab Bag – April 9, 2010 http://workawesome.com/communication/the-sanity-of-plain-language/#comment-4255 Brad Marley » Blog Archive » Weekly Grab Bag – April 9, 2010 Fri, 09 Apr 2010 13:05:23 +0000 http://workawesome.com/?p=2444#comment-4255 [...] The Sanity of Plain Language (WorkAwesome) – Like I said in my comment on this post, I believe most of us don’t use plain language because we risk sounding ordinary. Instead, we opt to write extra words that add nothing. How do we stop that? Beats me. [...] [...] The Sanity of Plain Language (WorkAwesome) – Like I said in my comment on this post, I believe most of us don’t use plain language because we risk sounding ordinary. Instead, we opt to write extra words that add nothing. How do we stop that? Beats me. [...]

]]> By: Joseph Lewis http://workawesome.com/communication/the-sanity-of-plain-language/#comment-4217 Joseph Lewis Wed, 07 Apr 2010 21:22:24 +0000 http://workawesome.com/?p=2444#comment-4217 @David, Well, I agree that the content in the first example has changed, but that example won a "Clarity Award" so I'm guessing the original version was so badly written that it completely failed to convey what it was supposed to say. I don't think we're in any danger of oversimplifying the English language. I just think that if people spent a little more time learning to use our "core" words properly, I doubt there would be a need for such imaginative business words. @David,

Well, I agree that the content in the first example has changed, but that example won a “Clarity Award” so I’m guessing the original version was so badly written that it completely failed to convey what it was supposed to say.

I don’t think we’re in any danger of oversimplifying the English language. I just think that if people spent a little more time learning to use our “core” words properly, I doubt there would be a need for such imaginative business words.

]]> By: The Simple Machine http://workawesome.com/communication/the-sanity-of-plain-language/#comment-4213 The Simple Machine Wed, 07 Apr 2010 20:19:16 +0000 http://workawesome.com/?p=2444#comment-4213 Well in high school and college you are required to write essays between X and Y number of words. So even if your message is clear in Z words, you are forced to add fluffy information. A lot of us learn about quantity over quality. Well in high school and college you are required to write essays between X and Y number of words.

So even if your message is clear in Z words, you are forced to add fluffy information. A lot of us learn about quantity over quality.

]]> By: Joseph Lewis http://workawesome.com/communication/the-sanity-of-plain-language/#comment-4193 Joseph Lewis Tue, 06 Apr 2010 18:10:34 +0000 http://workawesome.com/?p=2444#comment-4193 That's right, Julius. There is a time and a place for togas and lightning bolts, but it's not in an instruction manual. That’s right, Julius. There is a time and a place for togas and lightning bolts, but it’s not in an instruction manual.

]]> By: Julius http://workawesome.com/communication/the-sanity-of-plain-language/#comment-4191 Julius Tue, 06 Apr 2010 17:05:27 +0000 http://workawesome.com/?p=2444#comment-4191 Not only is plain language easier to understand, but it also shows your readers that you are one of them and not some high and mighty deity. Not only is plain language easier to understand, but it also shows your readers that you are one of them and not some high and mighty deity.

]]> By: Joseph Lewis http://workawesome.com/communication/the-sanity-of-plain-language/#comment-4186 Joseph Lewis Tue, 06 Apr 2010 14:32:50 +0000 http://workawesome.com/?p=2444#comment-4186 I worry about that, too. I think most people begin writing in this overblown style during college, partly because they are learning new words and ideas and partly because they want to impress people. Unfortunately, this problem does hurt customer satisfaction and product sales and other meatworld things. When actual human beings can't navigate your website, or fill out your form, or use your product, you probably won't be in business very long. I worry about that, too. I think most people begin writing in this overblown style during college, partly because they are learning new words and ideas and partly because they want to impress people.

Unfortunately, this problem does hurt customer satisfaction and product sales and other meatworld things. When actual human beings can’t navigate your website, or fill out your form, or use your product, you probably won’t be in business very long.

]]> By: Brad http://workawesome.com/communication/the-sanity-of-plain-language/#comment-4185 Brad Tue, 06 Apr 2010 14:04:37 +0000 http://workawesome.com/?p=2444#comment-4185 I think the reason more of us don't use plain language is that we risk not sounding smart. Why say something in 10 words when you can drag it out to 100? I think the reason more of us don’t use plain language is that we risk not sounding smart.

Why say something in 10 words when you can drag it out to 100?

]]> By: David http://workawesome.com/communication/the-sanity-of-plain-language/#comment-4184 David Tue, 06 Apr 2010 13:44:00 +0000 http://workawesome.com/?p=2444#comment-4184 I agree to a certain extent - I think your examples are a bit skewed, and particularly the first one doesn't send the same message after 'translation'. The same laziness and lack of flexibility that led to impossibly difficult 'business speak' can also oversimplify our language. English can be both functional and ornamental. I agree to a certain extent – I think your examples are a bit skewed, and particularly the first one doesn’t send the same message after ‘translation’.

The same laziness and lack of flexibility that led to impossibly difficult ‘business speak’ can also oversimplify our language. English can be both functional and ornamental.

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