Writing in Plain English

Plain English is writing that is clear and straightforward, targeted at the appropriate reading level, and free of jargon, wordiness, and clichés. It is also the standard for all business and government communication in the US. In this course, writing instructor Judy Steiner-Williams explains the characteristics of plain English and the importance of learning to write clearly, and introduces some online tools you can use to analyze your own writing. She outlines 11 rules to make your writing clear and plain, provides exercises to refine your skills, and offers suggestions for revising your work to ensure it is easily understood.



If you can write in plain English, you can save time, save money, and save face in communications. Start watching to learn how to make your writing more "plain": stronger, clearer, and more concise.

Lynda.com is a PMI Registered Education Provider. This course qualifies for professional development units (PDUs). To view the activity and PDU details for this course, click here.

The PMI Registered Education Provider logo is a registered mark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

Topics include:

• Understanding plain English
• Catching mistakes by reading aloud
• Simplifying sentences
• Using strong verbs and meaningful words
• Avoiding corporate jargon
• Finding the right voice and tone
• Editing flow and content
• Writing in a conversational style