A Clear Language CHECKLIST

Consider this checklist as you review your draft document.

Audience

• Who do you want to read your materials?
• Why do you want them to read it?
• What do you want your reader to do after they read it?

Content

• Will your readers be able to see how this material relates to them?
• Does it answer who, what, when, where, and why?
• Does the document contain all the information they need?

Organization

• Is the most important information first?
• Does the introduction give a context for what follows?
• Is the information presented logically?
• Do you guide your readers through the document using headings and subheadings?
• Can readers find what they need to know quickly and easily?

Tone

• Are you talking to the readers, not at them?
• Do you sound friendly and helpful, not bossy and distant?

Words

• Do you see concrete, active, positive words?
• Do you use words your readers know?
• Do you explain unfamiliar words?
• Do you avoid jargon, acronyms and abbreviations?
• Do you use bias-free, inclusive language?

Sentences

• Do you use simple sentences, with only one new item of information per sentence?
• Do you vary the sentence length, with an average length of less than 20 words?

Paragraphs

• Do you include only one topic in each paragraph?
• Do the sentences in your paragraphs relate to each other?
• Do you use point form, question-and-answer format or lists when possible?

Testing

• Did you test your draft material with people who represent your audience?
• Did you check for words and information that can be left out?
• Did you revise any complex sentences?
• Did you use the clear language and design screen?