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Last modified by Lizzie Bruce on 2020/01/11 23:49
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edited by Lizzie Bruce
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edited by Lizzie Bruce
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1 1  (% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
2 2  The legal, medical and financial professions are known for using complex terminology. But it is not necessary and confuses users of their services.
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5 -== ==
6 6  
7 7  Law
8 8  
9 9  Medicine
10 10  
11 -People need letters and reports from their doctors and consultants to be i
12 -
13 13  Money
14 14  
15 15  
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25 25  When you refer to a law, or part of it, explain what the law is about right there at the point of user need. Do not only refer to it in a reference section or appendix.
26 26  
27 27  
28 -== 2. Use simple explanations for complex terms. ==
24 +== 2. Give simple explanations for complex terms. ==
29 29  
30 ->Example:"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)." This content is positioned at the top of a form, not hidden away in references section.
26 +>Example:"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)."This content is positioned at the top of a form, not hidden away in references section.
31 31  
32 ->Example:[Subheading] "Direct sales contract — exemptions from application of the Act"[Body copy] "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."
28 +>Example:"Direct sales contract — exemptions from application of the Act" [Subheading]"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]
33 33  
34 34  == ==
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44 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. Just because all the legal language is there, doesn't mean you can't be sued.
45 45  
46 46  [[Plain English Campaign>>url:http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/campaigning/past-campaigns/legal/drafting-in-plain-english.html]] The Plain English Campaign argues that 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.'
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45 +
46 +== Medicine ==
47 +
48 +People need letters and reports about their health from doctors and consultants to be easy to understand.
49 +
50 +
51 +Usability evidence
52 +
53 +[[Plain English Campaign – guide to medical information>>url:http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/files/medicalguide.pdf]]
54 +
55 +[[Academy of Medical Royal Colleges – Guidance on writing letters to outpatients>>http://www.aomrc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Please_write_to_me_Guidance_010918.pdf]]
56 +
57 +
58 +== Money ==
59 +
60 +Many people do not understand their finances and it causes them problems. Complex terminology and arrangements about a non-tangible resource makes things difficult for everybody.
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