Writing in Plain English

Two people in shirts are sitting at a table with their laptops open and writing with pencils in a notebook. There are also two pens on the table.

Description

Plain English is writing that is clear and straightforward, targeted at the appropriate reading level, and free of jargon, wordiness, and clichés. It is also the standard for all business and government communication in the US. In this course, writing instructor Judy Steiner-Williams explains the characteristics of plain English and the importance of learning to write clearly, and introduces some online tools you can use to analyze your own writing. She outlines 11 rules to make your writing clear and plain, provides exercises to refine your skills, and offers suggestions for revising your work to ensure it is easily understood.

If you can write in plain English, you can save time, save money, and save face in communications. Start watching to learn how to make your writing more “plain”: stronger, clearer, and more concise.

Learning objectives

Explain how to make your writing clear, concise, and straightforward.
Recognize the average reading level for most audiences.
Identify commonly overused words.
Recognize how strong verbs can help avoid passive writing.
Explore the benefits of deleting extra words.
Define “weasel words.”

A dartboard with two darts hitting 6 and 9.

Study planSee the topics covered in the course.

Introduction

Writing clearly

Your writing

Make writing clear and plain

Revise for easy understanding

Conclusion

Instructor

Judy Steiner-Williams
Senior lecturer at Kelley Business School
A teacher of writing and business communication in English. During her 30-plus year tenure at Indiana University, Judy has taught both students and support staff.