Skip to Content
Last modified by Lizzie Bruce on 2020/01/11 23:49
From version Icon 1.39 Icon
edited by Lizzie Bruce
on 2019/03/08 17:01
Change comment: There is no comment for this version
To version Icon 1.49 Icon
edited by Lizzie Bruce
on 2019/03/15 20:26
Change comment: There is no comment for this version

Summary

Details

Icon Page properties
Title
... ... @@ -1,1 +1,1 @@
1 -Law, medicine and money
1 +Plain language for health, finances and law
Content
... ... @@ -1,110 +1,157 @@
1 +(% class="box" %)
2 +(((
3 +{{id name="#UM"/}}Following this helps:
4 +
5 +
6 +* **people in a hurry** – simply written content is quicker to scan
7 +* **people who are stressed** – if you're anxious it's difficult to understand complex text
8 +* **people who are multi-tasking** – when distracted complex text is harder to comprehend
9 +* **cognitive impairments** – easy to understand words involve less cognitive load
10 +* **visual impairments** – short, simple sentences convey meaning in a smaller visual field
11 +* **motor impairments** – it takes less physical effort to navigate shorter content
12 +)))
13 +
14 +
15 +== Guidance ==
16 +
1 1  (% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
2 -The [[legal>>doc:||anchor="l"]], [[medical>>doc:||anchor="m"]] and [[financial>>doc:||anchor="mo"]] professions are known for using complex terminology. But it's not necessary and confuses people who use their services.
18 +The legal, financial and medical professions are known for complex terminology. This is not necessary and confuses people. 
19 +
3 3  
21 +(% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
22 +**Health:** People need to understand doctors' letters and consultant reports easily. They need to be able to comprehend online information about health. 
4 4  
5 -== {{id name="l"/}}Law ==
24 +(% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
25 +**Finances: **Many people do not understand financial terms. This causes problems. Complex terminology describing conceptual arrangements is not helpful.
6 6  
7 -Judges need to decide what legal writers intended their writing to mean. They have evolved a set of tools for this analysis: Statutory Interpretation.
27 +(% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
28 +**Law: **Judges created a set of tools to decide what legal writers intended: Statutory Interpretation. But analyses can contradict each other. Plain English makes meaning clearer from the start.
8 8  
9 -Writing in plain English can make meaning clear, so that judges don’t have to rely on sometimes contradictory interpretations.
10 10  
31 +(% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H1.Usesimplelanguageforlegalterms." %)
32 +[[1. Use simple language for legal terms.>>doc:||anchor="#l1"]]
11 11  
12 -=== 1. Use simple language for legal terms. ===
34 +(% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H2.Explainthelawincontext." %)
35 +[[2. Explain the law in context.>>doc:||anchor="#l2"]]
13 13  
14 -If information on your website is unclear your organisation could be taken to court and lose, even if content is approved by your legal department.
37 +(% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H1.Writeclearly." %)
38 +[[3. Write medical information clearly.>>doc:||anchor="#m1"]]
15 15  
40 +(% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H2.Explainmedicalterms." %)
41 +[[4. Explain medical terms.>>doc:||anchor="#m2"]]
16 16  
17 -=== 2. Explain the law in context. ===
43 +(% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H1.Useclearlanguage." %)
44 +[[5. Use clear language for financial information.>>doc:||anchor="#mo1"]]
18 18  
19 -When you refer to a law, or part of it, explain what that law is at the point of user need. Do not only refer to it in a reference section or appendix.
46 +(% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H2.Explainterminology." %)
47 +[[6. Explain financial terminology.>>doc:||anchor="#mo2"]]
20 20  
21 ->Example:
22 -> Positioned at the top of a form, not hidden away in references section.
49 +(% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H3.Giveexamplesofconceptualarrangements." %)
50 +[[7. Give examples of conceptual financial arrangements.>>doc:||anchor="#mo3"]]
23 23  
24 -(((
25 -"We collect personal information on this form under section 26 the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, because it concerns our programs and activities (c), and it is necessary for planning and evaluating our programs and activities(e)."
26 -)))
52 +[[Usability evidence>>doc:||anchor="#UEL"]]
53 +
27 27  
28 ->Example:
29 ->
30 ->"**Direct sales contract — exemptions from application of the Act**"  [Subheading]
31 ->
32 ->5 (1) This section describes direct sellers that are, and circumstances in which direct sellers are, exempt from the application of sections 19 to 22 (required contents, direct sales contracts, direct sales contract — cancellation, credit agreement respecting direct sales contract) of the Act."  [Body copy]
55 +----
33 33  
34 -== ==
57 +=== {{id name="#l1"/}}1. Use simple language for legal terms. ===
35 35  
36 -== Usability evidence: plain English in law ==
59 +If information on your website is unclear your organisation could be taken to court and lose, even if content is approved by your legal department.
37 37  
38 -[['Joseph Kimble—No, the law does not (normally) require legalese'>>url:http://www.ivacheung.com/2015/07/joseph-kimble-no-the-law-does-not-normally-require-legalese-editing-goes-global-2015/]] Editing Goes Global, 2015. Professor Joseph Kimble discusses the "psuedo-precision of legalese".
39 39  
40 -[[Plain language: the underlying research>>url:https://www.victorialawfoundation.org.au/sites/default/files/resources/Schriver_Karen%20Clarity2012.pdf]], Karen Schriver slide presentation, pages 29 to 35.
62 +=== {{id name="#l2"/}}2. Explain the law in context. ===
41 41  
42 -[[The public speaks: an empirical study of legal communication>>url:http://works.bepress.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=christopher_trudeau]], study by Christopher Trudeau (@proftrudeau on Twitter) containing case studies from solicitors about using legal language.
64 +When you refer to a law, or part of it, explain what that law is at the point of user need. Do not only refer to it in a reference section or appendix.
43 43  
44 -[[Richmond vs HRA>>url:http://www.alltrials.net/news/judgment-in-richmond-v-hra-judicial-review/]] A pharmaceutical company called Richmond took the Health Regulatory Authority to court because the website was confusing. A high court judge deemed the site 'unlawful' and ruled against the government. The site was cleared through a legal department. This set a precedent in the UK. You could still be sued even with all the legal language is there, if the information is not clear.
45 45  
46 -[[Plain English Campaign>>url:http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/campaigning/past-campaigns/legal/drafting-in-plain-english.html]] believes legalese is unnecessary and does not do what it was intended to. "The argument that clarity should be sacrificed for a document to be comprehensive does not stand up."
67 +Example:
68 +\\(% class="mark" %)Positioned at the top of a form, not hidden away in references section:
47 47  
70 +(((
71 +"We collect personal information on this form under section 26 the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, because it concerns our programs and activities (c), and it is necessary for planning and evaluating our programs and activities(e)."
72 +)))
48 48  
49 -----
50 50  
51 -== {{id name="m"/}}Medicine ==
75 +Example:
76 +\\[Subheading]
77 +(% class="mark" %)"**Direct sales contract — exemptions from application of the Act**(%%)
78 +
52 52  
53 -People need letters and reports about their health from doctors and consultants to be easy to understand. And they need online information to be comprehensible. 
80 +[Body copy]
81 +(% class="mark" %)5 (1) This section describes direct sellers that are, and circumstances in which direct sellers are, exempt from the application of sections 19 to 22 (required contents, direct sales contracts, direct sales contract — cancellation, credit agreement respecting direct sales contract) of the Act."
54 54  
55 55  
56 -=== 1. Write clearly. ===
84 +=== {{id name="#m1"/}}3. Write medical information clearly. ===
57 57  
58 58  Users of the information might be in shock or anxious, which reduces cognition.
59 59  
60 60  
61 -=== 2. Explain medical terms. ===
89 +=== {{id name="#m2"/}} 4. Explain medical terms. ===
62 62  
63 -Medical terms are likely not to be understood by your readers. It is likely assuming they would know a word in a foreign language. Follow the word or phrase with a plain English explanation.
91 +Medical terms are unlikely to be understood by your readers. It similar to assuming they would know a word in a foreign language. Follow the word or phrase with a plain English explanation.
64 64  
65 65  
66 -== Usability evidence: plain English in medicine ==
94 +=== {{id name="#mo1"/}}5. Use clear language for financial information. ===
67 67  
68 -[[Guide to medical information>>http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/files/medicalguide.pdf]] from Plain English Campaign.
96 +Dealing with financial issues can be stressful, which means your audience will have less cognitive capability available. Write information so that it is easy for them to understand.
97 +
69 69  
70 -[[Guidance on writing letters to outpatients>>http://www.aomrc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Please_write_to_me_Guidance_010918.pdf]] from Academy of Medical Royal Colleges.
99 +=== {{id name="#mo2"/}}6. Explain financial terminology. ===
71 71  
72 -[['Clarity is king – the evidence that reveals the desperate need to re-think the way we write'>>https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2014/02/17/guest-post-clarity-is-king-the-evidence-that-reveals-the-desperate-need-to-re-think-the-way-we-write/]] GDS blog, Mark Morris, 2014
101 +Avoid using financial jargon. Acronyms and pseudonyms may make sense internally, but people using your services may not understand them.
73 73  
74 -[['Connecting with audiences: An evidence-based language sourcebook for the Department of Health'>>http://www.linguisticlandscapes.co.uk/pdf/DH%20Language%20Guidelines%20230710%20FINAL_for%20website_240114.pdf]] Linguistic Landscapes, July 2010
75 75  
76 -[[NHS content style guide beta>>https://beta.nhs.uk/service-manual/content/how-we-write]], January 2019
104 +=== {{id name="#mo3"/}}7. Give examples of conceptual financial arrangements. ===
77 77  
106 +A tracker or shared ownership mortgage is easier to understand if you give examples.
78 78  
108 +This is important for credit arrangements where there is an initial interest rate that may change.
109 +
110 +
79 79  ----
80 80  
113 +=== {{id name="#UEL"/}}Usability evidence ===
114 +
81 81  (% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
82 -== ==
116 +==== Legal ====
83 83  
84 -== {{id name="mo"/}}Money ==
118 +[['Joseph Kimble—No, the law does not (normally) require legalese'>>url:http://www.ivacheung.com/2015/07/joseph-kimble-no-the-law-does-not-normally-require-legalese-editing-goes-global-2015/]] Editing Goes Global, 2015. Professor Joseph Kimble discusses the "psuedo-precision of legalese".
85 85  
86 -Many people do not understand their finances and it causes them problems. Complex terminology describing concept-heavy arrangements about a non-tangible resource makes things difficult for everybody.
120 +[[Plain language: the underlying research>>url:https://www.victorialawfoundation.org.au/sites/default/files/resources/Schriver_Karen%20Clarity2012.pdf]], Karen Schriver slide presentation, pages 29 to 35.
87 87  
122 +[[The public speaks: an empirical study of legal communication>>url:http://works.bepress.com/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=christopher_trudeau]], study by Christopher Trudeau (@proftrudeau on Twitter) containing case studies from solicitors about using legal language.
88 88  
89 -=== 1. Use clear language. ===
124 +[[Richmond vs HRA>>url:http://www.alltrials.net/news/judgment-in-richmond-v-hra-judicial-review/]] A pharmaceutical company called Richmond took the Health Regulatory Authority to court because the website was confusing. A high court judge deemed the site 'unlawful' and ruled against the government. The site was cleared through a legal department. This set a precedent in the UK. You could still be sued even with all the legal language is there, if the information is not clear.
90 90  
91 -Dealing with financial issues can be stressful, which means your audience will have less cognitive capability available. Make your information easy for them to understand.
92 -\\
126 +[[Plain English Campaign>>url:http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/campaigning/past-campaigns/legal/drafting-in-plain-english.html]] believes legalese is unnecessary and does not do what it was intended to. "The argument that clarity should be sacrificed for a document to be comprehensive does not stand up."
93 93  
94 -=== 2. Explain terminology. ===
128 +====
129 +Medical ====
95 95  
96 -Avoid using financial jargon. Acronyms and pseudonyms may make sense internally, but people using your services may not understand them.
131 +[[Guide to medical information>>http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/files/medicalguide.pdf]] from Plain English Campaign.
97 97  
133 +[[Guidance on writing letters to outpatients>>http://www.aomrc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Please_write_to_me_Guidance_010918.pdf]] from Academy of Medical Royal Colleges.
98 98  
99 -=== 3. Give examples of conceptual arrangements. ===
135 +[['Clarity is king – the evidence that reveals the desperate need to re-think the way we write'>>https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2014/02/17/guest-post-clarity-is-king-the-evidence-that-reveals-the-desperate-need-to-re-think-the-way-we-write/]] GDS blog, Mark Morris, 2014
100 100  
101 -A tracker or shared ownership mortgage is easier to understand if you give examples.
137 +[['Connecting with audiences: An evidence-based language sourcebook for the Department of Health'>>http://www.linguisticlandscapes.co.uk/pdf/DH%20Language%20Guidelines%20230710%20FINAL_for%20website_240114.pdf]] Linguistic Landscapes, July 2010
102 102  
103 -This is important for credit arrangements where there is an initial interest rate that may change.
139 +[[NHS content style guide beta>>https://beta.nhs.uk/service-manual/content/how-we-write]], January 2019 
140 +
104 104  
142 +==== Finance ====
105 105  
106 -== Usability evidence: plain English in finance ==
107 -
108 108  [[A to Z of financial terms (PDF 87KB)>>http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/files/financialguide.pdf]] from Plain English Campaign.
109 109  
110 110  [[Plain English guide to financial term (PDF 686KB)>>https://www.nala.ie/resources/plain-english-guide-financial-terms]] from National Adult Literacy Agency, Ireland, January 2009.
147 +
148 +
149 +(% class="box" %)
150 +(((
151 +See also:
152 +
153 +* [[Plain English>>doc:Plain English.Plain English, simple sentences.WebHome]]
154 +* [[Simple sentences>>doc:Plain English.Simple sentences.WebHome]]
155 +* [[Specialist terms>>doc:Plain English.Specialist terms.WebHome]]
156 +* [[Words to avoid>>doc:Plain English.Words to avoid.WebHome]]
157 +)))