CLEO is part of the international plain language movement. We are members of:<\/p>\n
Plain language influences all that we do and all aspects of this style guide.<\/p>\n
CLEO endorses and aims to comply with the International Plain Language Standard<\/strong> developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).<\/p>\n The standard and its 4 basic principles provide a framework for doing plain language work and plain language training.<\/p>\n A communication is in plain language if its wording, structure, and design are so clear that the intended readers can easily find what they need, understand what they find, and use that information.<\/p>\n Doing plain language work means following all 4 principles.<\/p>\n Read more on the website for the International Plain Language Federation<\/a>.<\/p>\n Knowing who you\u2019re writing for is key.<\/p>\n Spend time thinking about who your audience is. For example:<\/p>\n Think about the information you\u2019re writing:<\/p>\n Write in a way that\u2019s conversational and informal. Write the way you would speak to someone.<\/p>\n Speak directly to your reader. Address your reader as \u201cyou\u201d. This helps your audience relate more to what you\u2019re telling them.<\/p>\n For certain types of writing, this may not be the best approach, for example, a funding or research report or some communications materials. But whenever possible<\/strong>, it\u2019s best to address your reader directly.<\/p>\n Be clear about why you\u2019re writing your content.<\/p>\n Ask yourself:<\/p>\n Set up your content in a way that\u2019s easy for your readers to follow.<\/p>\n Break it up into short sections.<\/p>\n Use headings<\/strong> and subheadings <\/strong>to help the reader follow the flow of the content. Use the headings to show readers what\u2019s coming up next.<\/p>\n Read more in the sections on:<\/p>\nISO definition of plain language<\/h3>\n
ISO principles<\/h3>\n
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Key aspects of plain language<\/h2>\n
Know your audience<\/h3>\n
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Address your reader<\/h3>\n
Have a purpose<\/h3>\n
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Make it easy to follow<\/h3>\n
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