MGMT 102 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Railways Act 1921, Self-Service Laundry, Plain English
Plain English:
Is a readable writing style that uses the 'you' approach, positive language, clear expression and an
assertive, courteous tone.
• Three E's: Equity, efficiency, effectiveness. (Advantages of plain English)'
Equity enables the reader to understand the content, how it applied to them and whether it is
necessary to take action.
Efficiency enhances readability and understanding and leads to fewer misunderstandings, complains
and disputes.
Effectiveness means the purpose is clear and the content structured with language suited to the
context, audience and writing purpose.
• Three stage process: Planning, writing, editing.
Planning- identify the writing purpose, develop an audience, collect information, order content
logically.
Writing- Apply positive, inclusive language, clear expression and a courteous tone, format to
enhance readability and to project your organisations preferred image.
Editing- evaluate writing style, organisation, content and tone, review readability, rewrite for clarity,
proofread for typos and errors.
Seven components of writing style: plain English
Words (language), sentences, paragraphs, rhythm (flow), tone, order of information, layout.
Word choice, sentences and paragraph structure:
Effective work based writers construct a convincing argument that moves the audience to decision or
action on the basis of the documents message. These writers know how to choose words, and use
sentence style and paragraph structure to highlight key content and actions.
• Vocabulary:
Vocabulary is the stock of words in a language.
• Unnecessary words.
• Jargon: overused words that obscure a messages meaning.
• Avoid unnecessary words, clichés etc.
• Choose concrete language:
Describes details precisely. It is easier to understand and has more impact that general language. It
sends a clear and specific image to the reader that is easy to interpretate.
Sends a clear and specific image that is easy to interpret.
Clear words allow readers to visualise what you say.
• Avoid overusing passive voice:
Passive voice places the subject of the sentence after the action or verb. "the clothes were washed at
the laundromat by John".
Passive voice is less direct that the active voice.
• Avoid nominalisations:
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Document Summary
Is a readable writing style that uses the "you" approach, positive language, clear expression and an assertive, courteous tone: three e"s: equity, efficiency, effectiveness. (advantages of plain english)" Equity enables the reader to understand the content, how it applied to them and whether it is necessary to take action. Efficiency enhances readability and understanding and leads to fewer misunderstandings, complains and disputes. Effectiveness means the purpose is clear and the content structured with language suited to the context, audience and writing purpose: three stage process: planning, writing, editing. Planning- identify the writing purpose, develop an audience, collect information, order content logically. Writing- apply positive, inclusive language, clear expression and a courteous tone, format to enhance readability and to project your organisations preferred image. Editing- evaluate writing style, organisation, content and tone, review readability, rewrite for clarity, proofread for typos and errors. Words (language), sentences, paragraphs, rhythm (flow), tone, order of information, layout.
