|
| Step 2: |
Check which plain language
guidelines are present and which are absent in your document. |
| |
Copy
this checklist and use it to assess your document. Use one form for each
document if you are doing a group of documents.
- Fill in the top of the form.
- Read each guideline and scan your
document. Check Yes, No, or Does Not Apply to show how each plain language
guideline applies to your document.
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| The document’s topic
is... |
| The document’s audience
is... |
Document’s name:
|
Document’s type (brochure, form,
etc.): |
|
Plain language guideline
|
Yes |
No |
Does
not apply |
Notes |
| 1. |
The purpose of the document is
clear. Readers know right away why they should read the document. |
|
|
|
|
|
| 2. |
Readers are told how the document
is organized. For example, in the text at the beginning or a Table of
Contents. |
|
|
|
|
|
| 3. |
Ideas are presented in a logical
order: chronological, steps, specific to general, or some other
method. |
|
|
|
|
|
| 4. |
The document is divided into
short sections. Headings and subheadings show the sections and reflect the
order. |
|
|
|
|
|
| 5. |
The most important information is
at the beginning of the document and the beginning of each section. |
|
|
|
|
|
| 6. |
Only the essential information is
included. Extra information is left out. |
|
|
|
|
|
| 7. |
The document respects gender,
cultural, and other differences. |
|
|
|
|
|
| 8. |
The words are short, simple, and
clear. Common words with no jargon. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
