Writing

Introduction to translation technology

What is translation technology? This introductory resource will help you understand how and when to use translation technology to provide …
An introduction to plain language

Understand how and why to use plain language on government websites and other digital services
Lessons from the 2021 Federal Plain Language Report Card

This event recap highlights best practices, a short case study video, and examples of federal web content that received both high and low …
PlainLanguage.gov

A resource to help federal employees write in plain language and comply with the Plain Writing Act of 2010.
Style Guides by Government Agencies

This page is a collection of style guides created by government agencies.
Plain Language Web Writing Tips

Help your readers complete their tasks with these Plain Language writing tips.

Communicators

Brings together government communicators to improve communication and make government more effective.
Plain Language

Brings together government plain language practitioners to promote use of plain language, saving agencies time and money and providing …

News and Events on Writing

42 posts

Why the American People Deserve a Digital Government

OMB released new policy guidance for government that includes a variety of actions and standards to help federal agencies design, develop, and deliver modern websites and digital services. Memo M-23-22, Delivering a Digital-First Public Experience, will make it seamless for the public to obtain government information and services online, and help agencies fully implement the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act (21st Century IDEA). — via The White House

Sep 22, 2023

Making the case for sentence case on USAGov’s websites

What is the best case style to use for titles and headings? For the new USAGov websites, we discuss the decision to use sentence case on USAGov products. — via USA.gov

Sep 05, 2023

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

Meredith Larson

Aug 08, 2023

The art of storytelling in a hybrid world

Combined with technology and audience awareness, our increasingly digital, hybrid world can still leverage that in-person charm through the art of storytelling.

Frances Carden

Apr 20, 2023

A happy compromise between people-first and plain language

Find out how the National Institute of Corrections is using people-first plain language in its communications. See what words and phrases they’re changing.

Celia A. Terrazas

Mar 07, 2023

Jargon Madness: A Plain Language Exercise

During the 2022 Plain Language Summit, Laura Rabuck of the Veterans Health Administration demonstrated how to promote plain language practices by focusing on jargon, a common enemy of all plain writers.

Joshua Hardy

Nov 07, 2022

User Research

Managing Stakeholder Feedback: Lessons from Experience

During the 2022 Plain Language Summit, Stephanie Morrison from the Department of Health and Human Services provided five tips for managing reviewers when asking for feedback.

Alexander Wilson

Oct 24, 2022

Content Design for beta.ADA.gov: Writing for Action and Flexibility

Content Design for beta.ADA.gov: Writing for Action and Flexibility—18F worked with a team at the Department of Justice to redesign ADA.gov. They helped them launch beta.ada.gov, and designed new content for some of the most sought-after ADA topics. — via 18F

Jul 13, 2022

Lessons from the 2021 Federal Plain Language Report Card

During the Digital.gov and Plain Language Community event, Results of the 2021 Federal Report Card, speaker David Lipscomb gave examples of web content that received both high and low scores in the 2021 Plain Language Report Card. Here’s what we learned.

Mara Goldberg

Gabby Fratanduono-King

Mar 11, 2022

Multilingual

Webinar Recap: How To Best Connect With Your Spanish-speaking Audience During an Emergency

In this panel discussion, experts from different agencies shared how they’ve used social media to reach Hispanic audiences during emergencies and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mara Goldberg

Gabby Fratanduono-King

Jan 24, 2022

Plain Language

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.

Katherine Spivey

Mara Goldberg

Gabby Fratanduono-King

Jan 04, 2022

Communities

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.

Katherine Spivey