Skip to Content
Last modified by Lizzie Bruce on 2020/01/11 23:49
From version Icon 1.42 Icon
edited by Lizzie Bruce
on 2019/03/09 03:15
Change comment: There is no comment for this version
To version Icon 1.46 Icon
edited by Lizzie Bruce
on 2019/03/15 20:02
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 law, medicine, money
Content
... ... @@ -4,11 +4,11 @@
4 4  
5 5  
6 6  * **people in a hurry** – simply written content is quicker to scan
7 -* **people who are stressed** – if you're anxious it's harder to comprehend things
8 -* **people who are multi-tasking** – when distracted you cannot concentrate on complex text
9 -* **cognitive impairments** – easy to understand words carry less cognitive load
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 10  * **visual impairments** – short, simple sentences convey meaning in a smaller visual field
11 -* **motor impairments** – it's less tiring when you can understand what you read quickly
11 +* **motor impairments** – it takes less physical effort to navigate shorter content
12 12  )))
13 13  
14 14  
... ... @@ -18,11 +18,6 @@
18 18  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. 
19 19  
20 20  
21 -=== Law ===
22 -
23 -Judges need to decide what legal writers intended by their writing. They evolved a set of tools for this analysis: Statutory Interpretation. Using plain English can make meaning clear, so that judges avoid relying on sometimes contradictory interpretations.
24 -
25 -
26 26  (% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H1.Usesimplelanguageforlegalterms." %)
27 27  [[1. Use simple language for legal terms.>>doc:||anchor="#l1"]]
28 28  
... ... @@ -29,44 +29,31 @@
29 29  (% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H2.Explainthelawincontext." %)
30 30  [[2. Explain the law in context.>>doc:||anchor="#l2"]]
31 31  
32 -[[Usability evidence: plain English in law>>doc:||anchor="#UEL"]]
33 -
34 -
35 -=== Medicine ===
36 -
37 -People need doctors' letters and consultant reports to be easy to understand. And they need online information about health conditions to be comprehensible.  
38 -
39 -
40 40  (% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H1.Writeclearly." %)
41 -[[1. Write clearly.>>doc:||anchor="#m1"]]
28 +[[3. Write medical information clearly.>>doc:||anchor="#m1"]]
42 42  
43 43  (% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H2.Explainmedicalterms." %)
44 -[[2. Explain medical terms.>>doc:||anchor="#m2"]]
31 +[[4. Explain medical terms.>>doc:||anchor="#m2"]]
45 45  
46 -[[Usability evidence: plain English in medicine>>doc:||anchor="#UM"]]
47 -
48 -
49 -=== Money ===
50 -
51 -Many people do not understand financial terms. This causes problems. Complex terminology describing conceptual arrangements about a non-tangible resource does not help anyone. 
52 -
53 -
54 54  (% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H1.Useclearlanguage." %)
55 -[[1. Use clear language.>>doc:||anchor="#mo1"]]
34 +[[5. Use clear language for financial information.>>doc:||anchor="#mo1"]]
56 56  
57 57  (% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H2.Explainterminology." %)
58 -[[2. Explain terminology.>>doc:||anchor="#mo2"]]
37 +[[6. Explain financial terminology.>>doc:||anchor="#mo2"]]
59 59  
60 60  (% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H3.Giveexamplesofconceptualarrangements." %)
61 -[[3. Give examples of conceptual arrangements.>>doc:||anchor="#mo3"]]
40 +[[7. Give examples of conceptual financial arrangements.>>doc:||anchor="#mo3"]]
62 62  
63 -[[Usability evidence: plain English in finance>>doc:||anchor="#UEMO"]]
42 +[[Usability evidence>>doc:||anchor="#UEL"]]
64 64  
65 65  
66 66  ----
67 67  
68 -== {{id name="l"/}}Law ==
47 +== {{id name="l"/}}Law ==
69 69  
49 +Judges need to decide what legal writers intended by their writing. They evolved a set of tools for this analysis: Statutory Interpretation. Using plain English can make meaning clear, so that judges avoid relying on sometimes contradictory interpretations.
50 +
51 +
70 70  === {{id name="#l1"/}}1. Use simple language for legal terms. ===
71 71  
72 72  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.
... ... @@ -93,74 +93,92 @@
93 93  [Body copy]
94 94  (% 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."
95 95  
96 -== ==
97 97  
98 -=== {{id name="#UEL"/}}Usability evidence: plain English in law ===
79 +----
99 99  
100 -[['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".
81 +== {{id name="m"/}}Medicine ==
101 101  
102 -[[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.
83 +People need doctors' letters and consultant reports to be easy to understand. And they need online information about health conditions to be comprehensible.  
84 +
103 103  
104 -[[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.
86 +=== {{id name="#m1"/}}3. Write medical information clearly. ===
105 105  
106 -[[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.
88 +Users of the information might be in shock or anxious, which reduces cognition.
107 107  
108 -[[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."
109 109  
91 +=== {{id name="#m2"/}} 4. Explain medical terms. ===
110 110  
93 +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.
94 +
95 +
111 111  ----
112 112  
113 -== {{id name="m"/}}Medicine
114 - ==
98 +== ==
115 115  
116 -=== {{id name="#m1"/}}1. Write clearly. ===
100 +== {{id name="mo"/}}Money ==
117 117  
118 -Users of the information might be in shock or anxious, which reduces cognition.
102 +Many people do not understand financial terms. This causes problems. Complex terminology describing conceptual arrangements about a non-tangible resource does not help anyone. 
103 +
119 119  
105 +=== {{id name="#mo1"/}}5. Use clear language for financial information. ===
120 120  
121 -=== {{id name="#m2"/}} 2. Explain medical terms. ===
107 +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.
108 +\\
122 122  
123 -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.
110 +=== {{id name="#mo2"/}}6. Explain financial terminology. ===
124 124  
112 +Avoid using financial jargon. Acronyms and pseudonyms may make sense internally, but people using your services may not understand them.
125 125  
126 -=== {{id name="#UM"/}}Usability evidence: plain English in medicine ===
127 127  
128 -[[Guide to medical information>>http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/files/medicalguide.pdf]] from Plain English Campaign.
115 +=== {{id name="#mo3"/}}7. Give examples of conceptual financial arrangements. ===
129 129  
130 -[[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.
117 +A tracker or shared ownership mortgage is easier to understand if you give examples.
131 131  
132 -[['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
119 +This is important for credit arrangements where there is an initial interest rate that may change.
133 133  
134 -[['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
135 135  
136 -[[NHS content style guide beta>>https://beta.nhs.uk/service-manual/content/how-we-write]], January 2019
122 +=== {{id name="#UEL"/}}Usability evidence ===
137 137  
124 +(% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
125 +==== Legal ====
138 138  
139 -----
127 +[['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".
140 140  
141 -== ==
129 +[[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.
142 142  
143 -== {{id name="mo"/}}Money ==
131 +[[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.
144 144  
145 -=== {{id name="#mo1"/}}1. Use clear language. ===
133 +[[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.
146 146  
147 -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.
148 -\\
135 +[[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."
149 149  
150 -=== {{id name="#mo2"/}}2. Explain terminology. ===
137 +====
138 +\\Medical ====
151 151  
152 -Avoid using financial jargon. Acronyms and pseudonyms may make sense internally, but people using your services may not understand them.
140 +[[Guide to medical information>>http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/files/medicalguide.pdf]] from Plain English Campaign.
153 153  
142 +[[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.
154 154  
155 -=== {{id name="#mo3"/}}3. Give examples of conceptual arrangements. ===
144 +[['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
156 156  
157 -A tracker or shared ownership mortgage is easier to understand if you give examples.
146 +[['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
158 158  
159 -This is important for credit arrangements where there is an initial interest rate that may change.
148 +[[NHS content style guide beta>>https://beta.nhs.uk/service-manual/content/how-we-write]], January 2019
160 160  
161 161  
162 -=== {{id name="#UEMO"/}}Usability evidence: plain English in finance ===
151 +==== Finance ====
163 163  
164 164  [[A to Z of financial terms (PDF 87KB)>>http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/files/financialguide.pdf]] from Plain English Campaign.
165 165  
166 166  [[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.
156 +
157 +
158 +(% class="box" %)
159 +(((
160 +See also:
161 +
162 +* [[Plain English>>doc:Plain English.Plain English, simple sentences.WebHome]]
163 +* [[Simple sentences>>url:https://readabilityguidelines.myxwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Plain%20English/Simple%20sentences/]]
164 +* [[Specialist terms>>url:https://readabilityguidelines.myxwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Plain%20English/Plain%20English%2C%20simple%20sentences/#st]]
165 +* [[Words to avoid>>url:https://readabilityguidelines.myxwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Plain%20English/Words%20to%20avoid/]]
166 +)))