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Last modified by Lizzie Bruce on 2020/01/11 23:49
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edited by Lizzie Bruce
on 2019/03/09 02:38
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To version Icon 1.28 Icon
edited by Lizzie Bruce
on 2019/03/07 17:20
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1 -(% class="box" %)
2 -(((
3 -Following this helps:
4 -\\
5 -)))
6 -
7 -
8 8  (% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
9 -== Guidance ==
2 +The legal, medical and financial professions are known for using complex terminology. But it's not necessary and confuses people who use their services.
10 10  
11 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
12 -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. 
13 -
14 14  
15 15  [[Law>>doc:||anchor="l"]]
16 16  
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18 18  
19 19  [[Money>>doc:||anchor="mo"]]
20 20  
21 -----
22 22  
23 23  == {{id name="l"/}}Law ==
24 24  
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32 32  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.
33 33  
34 34  
24 +(% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
35 35  === 2. Explain the law in context. ===
36 36  
37 37  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.
38 38  
39 39  >Example:
40 -> Positioned at the top of a form, not hidden away in references section.
30 +> "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)."
31 +> This content is positioned at the top of a form, not hidden away in references section.
41 41  
42 -(((
43 -"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)."
44 -)))
45 -
46 46  >Example:
47 47  >
48 ->"**Direct sales contract — exemptions from application of the Act**"  [Subheading]
35 +>"Direct sales contract — exemptions from application of the Act" [Subheading]"
49 49  >
50 ->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]
37 +>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]
51 51  
52 52  == ==
53 53  
54 -== Usability evidence: plain English in law ==
41 +== Usability evidence for plain English in law ==
55 55  
56 56  [['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".
57 57  
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64 64  [[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."
65 65  
66 66  
67 -----
68 68  
69 69  == {{id name="m"/}}Medicine ==
70 70  
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81 81  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.
82 82  
83 83  
84 -== Usability evidence: plain English in medicine ==
70 +== Usability evidence for plain English in medicine ==
85 85  
86 86  [[Guide to medical information>>http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/files/medicalguide.pdf]] from Plain English Campaign.
87 87  
88 88  [[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.
89 89  
90 -[['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
91 91  
92 -[['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
93 -
94 -[[NHS content style guide beta>>https://beta.nhs.uk/service-manual/content/how-we-write]], January 2019
95 -
96 -
97 -----
98 -
99 -== ==
100 -
101 101  == {{id name="mo"/}}Money ==
102 102  
103 103  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.
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106 106  === 1. Use clear language. ===
107 107  
108 108  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.
109 -\\
110 110  
86 +=== ===
87 +
111 111  === 2. Explain terminology. ===
112 112  
113 113  Avoid using financial jargon. Acronyms and pseudonyms may make sense internally, but people using your services may not understand them.
114 114  
92 +
115 115  
116 116  === 3. Give examples of conceptual arrangements. ===
117 117  
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120 120  This is important for credit arrangements where there is an initial interest rate that may change.
121 121  
122 122  
123 -== Usability evidence: plain English in finance ==
101 +== Usability evidence for plain English in finance ==
124 124  
125 125  [[A to Z of financial terms (PDF 87KB)>>http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/files/financialguide.pdf]] from Plain English Campaign.
126 126