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edited by Lizzie Bruce
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edited by Lizzie Bruce
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1 -Legal, medical and financial terms
1 +Law, medicine and money
Content
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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 -* **people with low literacy** – will not know meanings of complex vocabulary and terms
10 -* **cognitive impairments** – easy to understand words involve less cognitive load
11 -* **visual impairments** – short, simple sentences convey meaning in a smaller visual field
12 -* **motor impairments** – it takes less physical effort to navigate shorter content
13 -)))
14 -
15 -
16 -== Guidance ==
17 -
18 18  (% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
19 -The legal, financial and medical professions are known for complex terminology. This is not necessary and confuses people. 
20 -
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.
21 21  
22 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
23 -**Health:** People need to understand doctors' letters and consultant reports easily. They need to be able to comprehend online information about health. 
24 24  
25 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
26 -**Finances: **Many people do not understand financial terms. This causes problems. Complex terminology describing conceptual arrangements is not helpful.
5 +[[Law>>doc:||anchor="l"]]
27 27  
28 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
29 -**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.
7 +[[Medicine>>doc:||anchor="m"]]
30 30  
9 +[[Money>>doc:||anchor="mo"]]
31 31  
32 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H1.Usesimplelanguageforlegalterms." %)
33 -[[1. Use simple language for legal terms.>>doc:||anchor="#l1"]]
34 34  
35 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H2.Explainthelawincontext." %)
36 -[[2. Explain the law in context.>>doc:||anchor="#l2"]]
12 +== {{id name="l"/}}Law ==
37 37  
38 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H1.Writeclearly." %)
39 -[[3. Write medical information clearly.>>doc:||anchor="#m1"]]
14 +Judges need to decide what legal writers intended their writing to mean. They have evolved a set of tools for this analysis: Statutory Interpretation.
40 40  
41 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H2.Explainmedicalterms." %)
42 -[[4. Explain medical terms.>>doc:||anchor="#m2"]]
16 +Writing in plain English can make meaning clear, so that judges don’t have to rely on sometimes contradictory interpretations.
43 43  
44 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H1.Useclearlanguage." %)
45 -[[5. Use clear language for financial information.>>doc:||anchor="#mo1"]]
46 46  
47 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H2.Explainterminology." %)
48 -[[6. Explain financial terminology.>>doc:||anchor="#mo2"]]
19 +=== 1. Use simple language for legal terms. ===
49 49  
50 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H3.Giveexamplesofconceptualarrangements." %)
51 -[[7. Give examples of conceptual financial arrangements.>>doc:||anchor="#mo3"]]
52 -
53 -[[Usability evidence>>doc:||anchor="#UEL"]]
54 -
55 -
56 -----
57 -
58 -=== {{id name="#l1"/}}1. Use simple language for legal terms. ===
59 -
60 60  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.
61 61  
62 62  
63 -=== {{id name="#l2"/}}2. Explain the law in context. ===
24 +(% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
25 +=== 2. Explain the law in context. ===
64 64  
65 65  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.
66 66  
29 +>Example:
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.
67 67  
68 -Example:
69 -\\(% class="mark" %)Positioned at the top of a form, not hidden away in references section:
33 +>Example:
34 +>
35 +>"Direct sales contract — exemptions from application of the Act" [Subheading]"
36 +>
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]
70 70  
71 -(((
72 -"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)."
73 -)))
39 +== ==
74 74  
41 +== Usability evidence for plain English in law ==
75 75  
76 -Example:
77 -\\[Subheading]
78 -(% class="mark" %)"**Direct sales contract — exemptions from application of the Act**(%%)
79 -
43 +[['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".
80 80  
81 -[Body copy]
82 -(% 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."
45 +[[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 83  
47 +[[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.
84 84  
85 -=== {{id name="#m1"/}}3. Write medical information clearly. ===
49 +[[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.
86 86  
87 -Users of the information might be in shock or anxious, which reduces cognition.
51 +[[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."
88 88  
89 89  
90 -=== {{id name="#m2"/}} 4. Explain medical terms. ===
91 91  
92 -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.
55 +== {{id name="m"/}}Medicine ==
93 93  
57 +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. 
94 94  
95 -=== {{id name="#mo1"/}}5. Use clear language for financial information. ===
96 96  
97 -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.
98 -
60 +=== 1. Write clearly. ===
99 99  
100 -=== {{id name="#mo2"/}}6. Explain financial terminology. ===
62 +Users of the information might be in shock or anxious, which reduces cognition.
101 101  
102 -Avoid using financial jargon. Acronyms and pseudonyms may make sense internally, but people using your services may not understand them.
103 103  
65 +=== 2. Explain medical terms. ===
104 104  
105 -=== {{id name="#mo3"/}}7. Give examples of conceptual financial arrangements. ===
67 +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.
106 106  
107 -A tracker or shared ownership mortgage is easier to understand if you give examples.
108 108  
109 -This is important for credit arrangements where there is an initial interest rate that may change.
70 +== Usability evidence for plain English in medicine ==
110 110  
72 +[[Guide to medical information>>http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/files/medicalguide.pdf]] from Plain English Campaign.
111 111  
112 -----
74 +[[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.
113 113  
114 -=== {{id name="#UEL"/}}Usability evidence ===
115 115  
116 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
117 -==== ====
77 +== {{id name="mo"/}}Money ==
118 118  
119 -[['Writing content for everyone>>path:/xwiki/bin/get/Plain%20English/Plain%20English%2C%20simple%20sentences/?sheet=CKEditor.ResourceDispatcher&outputSyntax=plain&language=en&type=doc&reference=https%3A%2F%2Fgds.blog.gov.uk%2F2016%2F02%2F23%2Fwriting-content-for-everyone%2F]]', Roz Strachan, Government Digital Service, 2016
79 +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.
120 120  
121 -[['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".
122 122  
123 -[[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.
82 +=== 1. Use clear language. ===
124 124  
125 -[[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.
84 +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.
85 +\\
126 126  
127 -[[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.
87 +=== 2. Explain terminology. ===
128 128  
129 -[[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."
89 +Avoid using financial jargon. Acronyms and pseudonyms may make sense internally, but people using your services may not understand them.
130 130  
131 -[[Guide to medical information>>http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/files/medicalguide.pdf]] from Plain English Campaign.
91 +
132 132  
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.
93 +=== 3. Give examples of conceptual arrangements. ===
134 134  
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
95 +A tracker or shared ownership mortgage is easier to understand if you give examples.
136 136  
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
97 +This is important for credit arrangements where there is an initial interest rate that may change.
138 138  
139 -[[NHS content style guide beta>>https://beta.nhs.uk/service-manual/content/how-we-write]], January 2019
140 140  
141 -[[A to Z of financial terms (PDF 87KB)>>http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/files/financialguide.pdf]] from Plain English Campaign.[[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.
100 +== Usability evidence for plain English in finance ==
142 142  
102 +[[A to Z of financial terms (PDF 87KB)>>http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/files/financialguide.pdf]] from Plain English Campaign.
143 143  
144 -(% class="box" %)
145 -(((
146 -See also:
147 -
148 -* [[Plain English>>doc:Plain English.Plain English, simple sentences.WebHome]]
149 -* [[Simple sentences>>doc:Plain English.Simple sentences.WebHome]]
150 -* [[Specialist terms>>doc:Plain English.Specialist terms.WebHome]]
151 -* [[Words to avoid>>doc:Plain English.Words to avoid.WebHome]]
152 -)))
104 +[[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.