- Literacy isn’t a problem for our audience.
This may be true, but it has become clearer that literacy is a problem
for more people than we had realized. Any material that is written for
the general public should be clear and easy to read, since as many as
48% of Canadian adults have difficulty using print to get information.
- It won’t be legal.
Even lawyers are beginning to recognize that legal jargon doesn’t
make a document more legally binding. It’s important for people
to understand what their legal obligations are, and what they must do.
Readers are more likely to understand their legal obligations if the
document is written in everyday language. Again, some good “before
and after” examples may be needed to demonstrate how effective
clear language can be. Please see Section Four for examples.
- What we have to say can’t be written simply
— we have to use technical language.
Some material is written for a special audience that has the background
to understand technical language or specific terms. But when material
is written for the public, the writer must explain those terms so that
more people can understand. If it’s important for the audience
to know the terms, then define them and use them consistently. That
way the audience will have a better chance of understanding. If the
words or terms are not essential, then choose a more common word that
will get the idea across, even if it’s not quite as precise.
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