🔤Plain Language Resources
Tools, organizations, and guides for writing clearly, concisely, and accessibly.
Introduction | Your Reader & Purpose
Plain language helps people understand information the first time they read or hear it. This curated list includes government programs, professional and training organizations, key books, and emerging tools that support plain language, clear writing, and accessible communication:
Professional and Training Organizations
U.S. Government Programs
State, Provincial, and International Government
Books and Online References
Specialized Tools & Research
This resource list is part of Garbl’s Plain Language Writing Guide, a new, evolving tool at Plainly, Garbl to help you write clearly and concisely so your readers get what you're saying.
Professional and Training Organizations
Center for Plain Language
A U.S.-based nonprofit promoting plain language practices in both public and private sectors. Publishes annual report cards, awards, and resources.
Clarity International
A global network of legal professionals working to improve legal writing and increase public understanding of law.
International Plain Language Federation (IPLF)
A coalition of major plain language organizations, including PLAIN and Clarity, working to promote international standards and best practices.
Plain Language Academy / Plain Language Academies
Provide self-guided and mentored online courses in plain language, the ISO Plain Language Standard, accessibility, and information design.
Plain Language Association International (PLAIN)
An international network of advocates, trainers, and editors founded in 1983 and dedicated to making information accessible.
Plain Language Commission (United Kingdom)
A private organization that provides editorial consulting, training, advocacy, and free guides on clear writing and readability.
Plain Language Wizardry (Cheryl Stephens)
One of the founders of the Plain Language Association International (PLAIN), Cheryl Stephens offers free resources, writing advice, and updates on plain language practices through her personal website.
U.S. Government Programs
Government agencies—particularly in the United States—have historically led in promoting plain language, especially following the Plain Writing Act of 2010.
U.S. Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN)
Formed in 1995 by federal employees, PLAIN has been a driving force behind the government’s plain language movement. It helped lay the foundation for the Plain Writing Act of 2010 and continues to promote clear communication across federal agencies. PLAIN provides a variety of free resources and also maintains the Federal Plain Language Guidelines.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — Health Literacy
Provides plain-language guidance and tools to help health professionals and organizations communicate clearly with all patients and the public.
Digital.gov — Plain Language (U.S. General Services Administration)
Offers plain language tools, checklists, and guidance for writing clearly on government websites.
Federal Register — Plain Language Tools (National Archives and Records Administration)
Guidance to help federal agencies comply with Plain Writing Act standards.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) — Plain Writing and Clear Communications
A government-wide commitment to writing clearly and using plain language in health and human services communication.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) — Plain Language at NIH
Helps NIH staff write clearly for public audiences, including guidance and training tools.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) — Plain Language: Getting Started or Brushing Up
A helpful primer on using plain language for everyday federal writing.
U.S. Department of the Interior — Plain Language
Supports improved clarity in all agency communications with the public.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) — Plain Writing
Advocates clear communication to help the public understand environmental risks and protections.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) — Plain Writing
USDA’s commitment to clear communication through policies, reports, and public content.
State, Provincial, and International Government
Oregon Department of Administrative Services — Writing for Easy Reading
Plain language guidance for making public documents easier to read.
Washington State Governor’s Office — Plain Talk
Provides resources and direction for Washington state agencies to write clearly and concisely. Includes a comprehensive list of recommended tools, checklists, training materials, and references for public servants and professional communicators.
Government of Canada — Plain Language (Communications Community Office)
Provides training, guides, and collaboration tools for plain language writing across Canadian government departments.
United Kingdom Department of Health and Social Care — Making Written Information Easier to Understand
Guidelines to improve the accessibility of information for people with learning disabilities.
Books and Online References
Mark Baker — Every Page Is Page One (2013)
Explains how to structure web and technical content so users can find and understand any page without needing prior context.
Edward P. Bailey Jr. — Plain English at Work (1997)
Expands on Bailey’s approach to business writing with added focus on oral communication.
William Brohaugh — Write Tight: How to Keep Your Prose Sharp, Focused and Concise (2007)
Twelve chapters with practical tools for eliminating fluff and redundancy in writing.
Martin Cutts — Oxford Guide to Plain English (5th ed., 2020)
Practical handbook from the UK with advice on writing clearly, editing, and avoiding jargon.
Martin Cutts — Plain English Lexicon: A Guide to Whether Your Words Will Be Understood
Free research-based booklet showing which words are likely to be familiar to your readers. One of several resources provided by Cutts and other members of the Plain Language Commission, UK.
Robert Hartwell Fiske — The Dictionary of Concise Writing (2nd ed., 2006)
Identifies and replaces thousands of wordy phrases. Also see Dictionary of Unendurable English (2011).
Bryan A. Garner — Legal Writing in Plain English (2001)
Well-structured guide with exercises for legal professionals to communicate more effectively.
Ernest Gowers (rev. Sidney Greenbaum & Janet Whitcut) — The Complete Plain Words (2003)
Classic British guide on removing clutter and ambiguity in writing.
Joseph Kimble — Flimsy Claims for Legalese and False Criticisms of Plain Language (2010)
Rebuts criticisms of plain language with evidence from decades of advocacy.
Joseph Kimble — Writing for Dollars, Writing to Please (2012)
Demonstrates the business and legal benefits of plain language with real-world examples.
John R. Kohl — The Global English Style Guide (2008)
Detailed style guide for writing translatable, easy-to-understand technical content.
Richard Lauchman — Plain Style: Techniques for Simple, Concise, Emphatic Business Writing (2007)
Straightforward tips for making workplace writing clearer and more persuasive.
Rachel McAlpine — From Plain English to Global English (1996)
Focuses on how to adjust English for international audiences using clear, universal language.
Rachel McAlpine — Global English for Global Business (2001)
Expands on global writing strategies for businesses serving multilingual or multicultural audiences.
Janice (Ginny) Redish — Letting Go of the Words (2nd ed., 2012)
Teaches how to write user-centered content for websites and digital platforms.
Sarah Richards — Content Design (2017)
Landmark book on designing information that works. Written for digital services, now standard in UK government.
Bruce Ross-Larson — Edit Yourself: A Manual for Everyone Who Works with Words (1996)
A hands-on guide with checklists and quick fixes for clarity, grammar, and organization.
Cheryl Stephens — The Foundations and Processes of Clear Communication (2025)
Stephens’ new ebook explores the art and science of clear communication, offering both a practical guide and a thoughtful reflection on what it means to write for real people in a complex world.
Cheryl Stephens — Plain Language in Plain English (2000s)
Comprehensive guide from a plain language pioneer, covering techniques, examples, and best practices.
Cheryl Stephens — Plain Language Legal Writing (2000s)
Focuses on applying plain language principles to legal writing for better understanding.
Francis-Noël Thomas & Mark Turner — Clear and Simple as the Truth: Writing Classic Prose (2nd ed., 2011)
Explores classic prose style and its role in clear, direct writing. Theoretical but useful for stylistic clarity.
Edmond H. Weiss — The Elements of International English Style (2005)
Offers writing strategies for a global audience across business and technical documents.
Specialized Tools & Research
National Institutes of Health (NIH) — Clear Communication Initiative
Supports public health professionals in using plain language and health literacy strategies.
SimplifyMyText (AI Tool)
A 2025 open-source tool using large language models (LLMs) to simplify documents while preserving tone.
TermSight (AI Tool)
AI-driven interface for translating complex terms in policies and contracts into plain language.
Introduction | Your Reader & Purpose