🔤Garbl’s Plain Language Writing Guide
Introduction: Helping you write clearly and concisely—so your readers get what you're saying.
What is plain language?
Plain language is a way of writing that helps people understand your message easily. It focuses on your readers—how they read, what they need, and how much time they have. Also called plain English, this clear, concise writing approach is used around the world in many languages.
Plain language means writing that’s clear the first time someone reads it.
This guide can help you bridge the gap between what you want to say and what your readers need to understand.
Your Reader and Purpose | Resources
Why plain language matters
Plain language creates a better experience for both readers and writers. It saves time, prevents confusion, and builds trust.
For readers, plain language means:
Less effort to understand what you’re saying
Clear, practical information they can use or act on
Better access—especially for people with different reading abilities, learning styles, or English skills
For writers, plain language means:
Clearer thinking about your goals and message
Fewer questions, corrections, or misunderstandings
More effective communication that gets results
Easier translation into other languages
When your writing meets your readers’ needs, it meets your needs too.
Who uses plain language?
Plain language helps anyone who writes for other people. That includes:
Nonprofits, community groups, and advocacy organizations
Businesses and service providers
Health care, legal, and public safety professionals
Educators—and their students
Government agencies and public information staff
Journalists, editors, bloggers, authors, and other content creators
Website managers, technical writers, and translators
Anyone who wants to improve the clarity of their writing
What types of writing benefit?
Plain language applies to all kinds of writing:
Emails, letters, and memos
Reports, proposals, and policies
News and feature articles, newsletters, and brochures
Websites, FAQs, and social media posts
Instructions, manuals, and how-to guides
Legal, technical, and public-facing documents
Even fiction, where clarity still matters
What’s next?
As I add sections, this guide will help you write more clearly and confidently using key plain language techniques. You’ll learn how to:
Organize ideas in a logical way
Write strong paragraphs and clear sentences
Choose words your readers understand
Create a clean, inviting design
Test your writing to make sure it works
Plain Language Resources
Looking for other tools, books, and trusted sources? Check out this curated list of government programs, plain language organizations, and references to support your writing journey.
Reflections on Writing and Plain Language
I’ll be posting occasional reflections here about writing, language, and communication
Why I Created This Guide
I first learned about plain language in the mid-1990s while working as a government writer and editor. It complemented my earlier education and experience in journalism, where I worked to write clearly and concisely to meet the needs and interests of readers. Since then, I’ve studied, practiced, and shared these principles in the workplace and other settings to help people write more clearly and confidently.
I also served on the board of the Plain Language Association International, managing its website and an online plain language discussion group.
This guide is the latest step in that journey—and I hope it helps you with yours.
Gary B. Larson (Garbl)