Definitions of Plain Language
Many definitions of plain language exist. Fundamentally, when we write in plain language, we present information in a way that makes it as easy as possible for people to understand. All definitions emphasize the importance of audience, clarity, and comprehension. You can find common threads in the articles linked from this page.
Short definitions
Bryan Garner, a leading expert in plain legal language, gives a short definition of "plain English" in his book entitled Legal Writing in Plain English.
Robert Eagleson, a professor of English at the University of Sydney and a noted scholar of plain language, provides another short definition of plain language.
In a writing course he developed for EPA, Nick Wright provides this short discussion of clear writing and plain language.
Detailed discussions
Chris Balmford, of Words and Beyond in Australia, wrote this paper to present to an International Conference on Plain Language in 2002. He discusses the evolution of Plain Language on the international stage and asserts it has moved beyond a movement.
Joe Kimble, a law professor and a major force in plain language in the United States, published this 2002 article on the Elements of Plain Language in the Michigan Bar Journal.
Beth Mazur's 2000 article, entitled Revisiting Plain Language and published in Technical Communication, the Journal of the Society for Technical Communication, presents her own take on the issue as well as an excellent discussion of many different definitions from other experts in the field.
Historical essay
Back in 1946, George Orwell wrote Politics and the English Language. It includes a discussion of what it takes to write well.
