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1 -Legal, medical and financial terms
1 +Law, medicine and money
Content
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2 -(((
3 -{{id name="#UM"/}}Following this helps:
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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.
5 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 14  
5 +Law
15 15  
16 -== Guidance ==
7 +Medicine
17 17  
18 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
19 -The legal, financial and medical professions are known for complex terminology. This is not necessary and confuses people. 
20 -
9 +Money
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  
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26 -**Finances: **Many people do not understand financial terms. This causes problems. Complex terminology describing conceptual arrangements is not helpful.
12 +== Law ==
27 27  
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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.
14 +Over the years, judges have tried to decide what the legal writers intended their writing to mean. They evolved a set of tools to do this analysis: Statutory Interpretation.
30 30  
16 +Writing in plain English can make meaning clear, so that judges don’t have to rely on these sometimes contradictory interpretations.
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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"]]
19 +=== 1. Explain the law in context. ===
37 37  
38 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H1.Writeclearly." %)
39 -[[3. Write medical information clearly.>>doc:||anchor="#m1"]]
21 +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.
40 40  
41 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H2.Explainmedicalterms." %)
42 -[[4. Explain medical terms.>>doc:||anchor="#m2"]]
43 43  
44 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H1.Useclearlanguage." %)
45 -[[5. Use clear language for financial information.>>doc:||anchor="#mo1"]]
24 +== 2. Give simple explanations for complex terms. ==
46 46  
47 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H2.Explainterminology." %)
48 -[[6. Explain financial terminology.>>doc:||anchor="#mo2"]]
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.
49 49  
50 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H3.Giveexamplesofconceptualarrangements." %)
51 -[[7. Give examples of conceptual financial arrangements.>>doc:||anchor="#mo3"]]
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]
52 52  
53 -[[Usability evidence>>doc:||anchor="#UEL"]]
54 -
30 +== ==
55 55  
56 -----
32 +== Usability evidence for plain English in law ==
57 57  
58 -=== {{id name="#l1"/}}1. Use simple language for legal terms. ===
34 +[['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".
59 59  
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.
36 +[[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.
61 61  
38 +[[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.
62 62  
63 -=== {{id name="#l2"/}}2. Explain the law in context. ===
40 +[[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.
64 64  
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.
42 +[[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.'
66 66  
67 67  
68 -Example:
69 -\\(% class="mark" %)Positioned at the top of a form, not hidden away in references section:
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 -)))
46 +== Medicine ==
74 74  
48 +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. 
75 75  
76 -Example:
77 -\\[Subheading]
78 -(% class="mark" %)"**Direct sales contract — exemptions from application of the Act**(%%)
79 -
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."
51 +=== 1. Write clearly. ===
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84 -
85 -=== {{id name="#m1"/}}3. Write medical information clearly. ===
86 -
87 87  Users of the information might be in shock or anxious, which reduces cognition.
88 88  
89 89  
90 -=== {{id name="#m2"/}} 4. Explain medical terms. ===
56 +=== 2. Explain medical terms. ===
91 91  
92 -Medical terms are unlikely to be understood by your readers. It's similar to assuming they would know a word in a foreign language. Follow the word or phrase with a plain English explanation.
58 +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.
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94 94  
95 -=== {{id name="#mo1"/}}5. Use clear language for financial information. ===
61 +== Usability evidence for plain English in medicine ==
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 -
63 +[[Plain English Campaign – guide to medical information>>http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/files/medicalguide.pdf]]
99 99  
100 -=== {{id name="#mo2"/}}6. Explain financial terminology. ===
65 +[[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]]
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  
68 +== Money ==
104 104  
105 -=== {{id name="#mo3"/}}7. Give examples of conceptual financial arrangements. ===
70 +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.
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.
73 +=== 1. Use clear language. ===
110 110  
75 +=== ===
111 111  
112 -----
77 +=== 2. Explain terminology. ===
113 113  
114 -== {{id name="#UEL"/}}Usability evidence ==
79 +=== ===
115 115  
81 +=== 3. Give examples of conceptual arrangements. ===
116 116  
117 -[['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]], R. Strachan, UK Government Digital Service blog, 2016
118 118  
119 -=== Health specific ===
84 +== Usability evidence for plain English in finance ==
120 120  
121 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H" %)
122 -[['Department of Health Stakeholder Report: 2012'>>https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/department-of-health-stakeholder-report-2012]], research by Ipsos MORI, 2012
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124 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
125 -[['Connecting with audiences. An evidence-based language sourcebook'>>http://www.linguisticlandscapes.co.uk/pdf/DH%20Language%20Guidelines%20230710%20FINAL_for%20website_240114.pdf]], Department of Health and Linguistic Landscapes, 2010, 2014
126 -
127 -[[Guide to medical information>>http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/files/medicalguide.pdf]] from Plain English Campaign.
128 -
129 -[[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.
130 -
131 -[['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
132 -
133 -[[NHS content style guide beta>>https://beta.nhs.uk/service-manual/content/how-we-write]], January 2019
134 -
135 -
136 -=== Legal specific ===
137 -
138 -[['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".
139 -
140 -[[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.
141 -
142 -[['The public speaks: an empirical study of legal communication'>>https://works.bepress.com/christopher_trudeau/4/]], Christopher Trudeau, study includes solicitor case studies, 2017
143 -
144 -[['Legislative language and judicial politics: The effects of changing parliamentary language on UK immigration disputes'>>https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1369148117705272]], Matthew Williams, 2017. Locked
145 -
146 -[['How Parliament’s failure to clearly articulate immigration policy forces judges to take control'>>https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/parliamentary-language-and-immigration/]], Matthew Williams 'Legislative language and judicial politics' 2017 summarised in London School of Economics blog post
147 -
148 -[['I fought the law and the users won: delivering online voter registration'>>https://gds.blog.gov.uk/2014/06/20/i-fought-the-law-and-the-users-won-delivering-online-voter-registration/]], Peter Herlihy, UK Government Digital Service blog, 2014
149 -
150 -[[Richmond vs HRA>>url:http://www.alltrials.net/news/judgment-in-richmond-v-hra-judicial-review/]] Richmond pharmaceutical company took the Health Regulatory Authority to court because the website was confusing. A high court judge decided the site was 'unlawful' and ruled against the government. The site was cleared through a legal department. This set a precedent in the UK. You can still be sued even with all the legal language there, if the information is not clear.
151 -
152 -[[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."
153 153  
154 -
155 -=== Finance specific ===
156 -
157 -[[A to Z of financial terms (PDF 87KB)>>http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/files/financialguide.pdf]] from Plain English Campaign.
158 -
159 -[[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.
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163 -(((
164 -See also:
165 -
166 -* [[Plain English>>doc:Plain English.Plain English, simple sentences.WebHome]]
167 -* [[Simple sentences>>doc:Plain English.Simple sentences.WebHome]]
168 -* [[Specialist terms>>doc:Plain English.Specialist terms.WebHome]]
169 -* [[Words to avoid>>doc:Plain English.Words to avoid.WebHome]]
170 -)))
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Author
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1 -xwiki:XWiki.LizzieBruce
Comment
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1 -Thanks! Feel free to contact me for a wiki edit log in if you spot anything else. lizzie@contentdesign.london
Date
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1 -2019-04-24 11:37:24.0