About plain language
What is plain language?
Plain language is communication that ensures your readers can find what they need, understand what they find, and use it to make informed decisions or take action. It considers who your audience is, what they want or need to know and how they will be using the information.
“A communication is in plain language if its wording, structure, and design are so clear that the intended audience can easily find what they need, understand what they find, and use that information.”
Why use plain language?
Plain language enables people to find the information they need, understand it, and act on it. Plain language reduces confusion, saves time, and increases customer satisfaction. So, writing in plain language improves access, builds trust and supports better outcomes for everyone.
Plain language makes your documents more effective and accessible.
When readers easily understand your documents, they're more likely to follow instructions correctly. This reduces errors, misunderstandings, and the need for clarification. This leads to better outcomes and fewer costly mistakes.
Clear, straightforward communication shows respect for your audience's time. It improves their experience with your organisation and builds trust.
Plain language reduces support calls, follow-up questions, and the time spent explaining complicated documents.
Plain language makes your content understandable to people with different educational backgrounds and cognitive abilities. This includes those who speak English as a second language.
Plain language reduces legal risks by helping people understand terms, conditions, and other important information.
Organisations that adopt plain language show their commitment to effective communication while realising tangible business benefits.
Enliven — grounded in international best practice
Our work is based on the four guiding principles of plain language, aligned with the ISO 24495 Plain Language standard:
The information is relevant to your audience
Your audience can find what they need
They can understand what they find
They can use the information to meet their needs
These principles guide how we select, write, structure, and present information.