4 steps writers and editors can take to demonstrate value
As plain language writers and editors, we need to demonstrate the value we bring to projects. This writeup explains how to calculate the costs of our work and articulate its value.
Katherine Spivey
General Services Administration
Latest content by Katherine Spivey
Annual Summit
2022 Federal Plain Language Summit
Join the best and brightest plain language practitioners from across the federal government.
2022
Plain Language
Increase Your Impact With Plain Language
Get tips and lessons learned from the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division on using plain language to increase their impact and influence.
2022
Plain Language
Plain Language + Compassion Help People in Crisis
Meet the content strategists who worked to transform FindTreatment.gov to connect people in crisis with the help that they need.
2022
Keynote Speaker Recap: Would More Plain Language Have Saved Us From the Worst of the Pandemic?
A summary of Cynthia Baur’s keynote at the 2021 Plain Language Summit.
Plain Language
Results of the 2021 Federal Report Card
David Lipscomb from the Center for PL will review the results of this year’s Federal Plain Language Report Card and answer questions.
2021
Annual Summit
2021 Federal Plain Language Summit
This year, we showcase federal employees’ plain language projects, including COVID-19 agency responses, accessibility, user experience, and career enhancement.
2021
Storytelling
Using Plain Language To Tell Our Stories
Learn how to tell a story and figure out what role plain language plays in storytelling.
2021
Words and design work together. Learn UX writing principles any federal employee working on digital products can apply to their own work.
2021
8 Ways Community of Practice (CoP) Managers Can Improve Member Engagement on Listservs
Are you a Digital.gov Community of Practice (CoP) lead? Find yourself participating in a CoP discussion and wondering what else you can do? We’ve got some suggestions.
Plain Language
Positioning Yourself as a Plain Language Editor
Learn how to brand yourself as a plain language expert and get the credit at work that you deserve!
Watch Video
2021
User Experience
How Testing Your Documents Can Improve Plain Language Compliance
Usability testing isn’t only for websites. Come work with Dr. Ginny Redish and try out three techniques for quick and easy ways to test the usability of your documents.
Watch Video
2021
Plain Language
Plain Language: Accessibility for Content
Come join us as we focus on concerns and opportunities shared by the Section 508 and plain language communities in Government!
Watch Video
2021
We’ve all had to learn new modes of presenting and communicating now that we’re teleworking full-time and depend on online broadcast technology. But how can you engage students and teach a class while sitting in front of a laptop camera? Join Wendy Wagner-Smith from the Small Business Administration and find out!
Watch Video
2021
Plain Language Report Card
2020 Federal Report Card Briefing
David Lipscomb will review, The Annual Federal Report Card, which is a snapshot of how well the federal government is following the 2010 Plain Writing Act.
Watch Video
2021
Annual Summit
2020 Federal Plain Language Summit
Join us for discussion from government and private-sector leaders on how to advance plain language in government communications. Hear lessons learned and victories of every size.
2020
Plain Language
Plain Language Basics: Online Workshop, September 2020
Take this three-hour online workshop to learn how to write and edit in plain language.
Watch Video
2020
Plain Language
Plain Language Basics: Online Workshop, August 2020
Take this three-hour online workshop to learn how to write and edit in plain language.
Watch Video
2020
Plain Language
Federal Report Card Update
Learn how the Center for Plain Language is approaching the Federal Report Card and what agencies can do to get top grades.
Watch Video
2020
Learn about the skills and needs of American readers, how we are failing our audiences, and ways to do better.
2020
