Full display

This document provides principles and guidelines for creating plain language documents. It is intended for anyone who creates documents that readers need to use or should use. It aims to help authors create documents that put readers first. As such, this document provides guidelines for four governing principles: - Principle 1: Readers get what they need (relevant) - Principle 2: Readers can easily find what they need (findable) - Principle 3: Readers can easily understand what they find (understandable) - Principle 4: Readers can easily use the information (usable) This document provides recommendations. It does not establish requirements. It applies to most, if not all, languages. Annex A provides a visual overview of the principles and guidelines. Annex B provides a checklist to help authors apply this document. While this document covers the essential elements of plain language, it has some intentional limits: - It does not address selecting the appropriate document type for readers. - It does not include existing technical guidance about accessibility and online documents, although this document’s guidance applies to both. Authors of online documents are urged to consider the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. - It is not a step-by-step guide for creating plain language documents. Later parts of this series may provide case studies, best practices, and other supporting information.