Submitted by Elaine Blackman, writer/editor, Office of Child Support Enforcement, Department of Health and Human Services Only a few generations ago, many causes and movements set out to clean up the environment. Do any of you remember the “Keep America Beautiful” campaign? Over time, most of us have learned the habit of throwing trash inRead… Read more »
Search Results for: plain language
Figuring out the procurement maze with OFPP’s Joe Jordan and can the government speak plainly?
On today’s program Working in procurement is a little like working in a maze, there are lots of new and different regulations around every corner. But there are some ways to make it easier. Joe Jordan is the administrator in the Office of Federal Procurement Policy. He’ll tell us his tips.Click here for the fullRead… Read more »
asdfjklqweruiop; — Is the government getting better at writing plainly?
“I didn’t have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead,” Mark Twain. Writing clearly and concisely is a challenge for anyone, but it’s been an even bigger challenge for the federal government — they are plagued with the dreaded Gov-Speak. But for the past two year’s they’ve been workingRead… Read more »
Sequestration Hearing: Contractors Dramatically Complain About Potential Job Cuts, Supplier Impacts, Lack of Guidance
In what House Armed Services Committee Chairman, Buck McKeon (R-Calif.) called perhaps the most “important hearing I have ever attended,” the committee and four defense contractor leaders discussed the impacts of sequestration on industry. Five main themes emerged: Dramatic language and colorful metaphors to describe sequestration Lack of numerical specificity on impacts Complaints about theRead… Read more »
GroupWorks Pattern Language card deck available now
A BIG breakthrough for all group process folks… For almost 5 years I’ve been involved with envisioning and creating a “pattern language” for group process. (A pattern language is a set of design factors to guide people in creating things that are wholesome and life-giving – vibrant communities, effective curricula, engaging software… and great conversations.)Read… Read more »
Group Works: A Pattern Language for Bringing Life to Meetings and Other Gatherings
For the past three years (ever since attending “The Underlying Dynamics of Conversations that Matter”, a most excellent pre-conference workshop with Tom Atlee and Peggy Holman at NCDD 2008 in Austin, TX), I’ve been following the Group Pattern Language Project, a very exciting endeavor led by Tree Bressen, Sue Woehrlin and Dave Pollard and involvingRead… Read more »
Why Implementing the Plain Writing Act Will Take Decades
“In just a few more years, the current homogenized voice of business—the sound of mission statements and brochures—will seem as contrived and artificial as the language of the 18th century French court.” – The Cluetrain Manifesto “In just a few more years” – if only that were true. Unfortunately, this quote was written more thanRead… Read more »
Today at 2pm – GovLoop Training – Speaking about the Cloud in Common Language – Register for Part 1, 1/27
**Still time to register – Register for our 2-part GovLoop Online training – 1/27 & 2/3 – to get trained on the cloud and it’s benefit. Presented by Microsoft** Last year, government passed the Plain Language Act. Well, I think technologists should pass the “No Jargon Act” For the last three years, everybody has beenRead… Read more »
Bring On the Plain Writing Act!
It’s looking more and more promising that Congress will pass the Plain Writing Act (S574), the law that so many have championed for so long. The Act passed the House in March by a vote of 386 to 33; and it’s being considered in the Senate now. If it is enacted, get ready, web communicators.Read… Read more »
Keep It Plain!
With the announcement of the Clearmark Plain Language Awards on April 29, this is a good time to trot out some tips on writing “plain” for your web audience. I don’t care how good your website design is, if the writing is poor – if you don’t communicate with your target audience – your websiteRead… Read more »