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Plain language resources

Plain language checklist

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This is a proof of concept. See
GitBook
⁠
for source of truth - 9/15/2023


Principles

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California Design System content design principles
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, authored by the Office of Data and Innovation (ODI)
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California Design System principles
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Government Code 6219
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: California's plain language law
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US Web Design System principles
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Style guides

These are the style guides ODI look at when we have questions about writing.
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Associated Press (AP) Style
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: ODI's default style guide
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18F content guide
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How to write for SF.gov
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Federal plain language guidelines
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at plainlanguage.gov
Digital.gov - Federal
style guides by government agencies
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GOV.UK A to Z of style – words to avoid
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: a list of some words that make your content less clear, created by a UK government content team

How to’s

Accessibility

Content designers play a role in accessibility. Creating alt text for images is one of the biggest ways.
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How to: write good alt text
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- Supercool
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Cognitive Accessibility Guidance
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- Web Accessibility Initiative
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Write good Alt Text to describe images
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- Harvard University
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An alt decision tree
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- W3C. This helps you decide if an image needs alt text
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3 questions to help decide if an image doesn’t need alt text
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- Bureau of Internet Accessibility

Content design

Plain language is part of the broader discipline of content design. These resources can help you improve your writing beyond using plain language.
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Why FAQs aren’t the answer you’re looking for
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- Co-op
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A guide to content design
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- Shelter, aUK housing nonprofit
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What is content design?
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Crits
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How content designers can convince subject matter experts content needs to change
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Inclusive language

While not a traditional part of plain language, inclusive language respects all readers.
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IT inclusive language guide
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: terms often found in IT with alternatives from the University of Washington
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Inclusive language guide
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: Atlassian’s guide that offers alternatives to terms and phrases
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Language, Please
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: a resource that defines many terms. In some cases it offers guidance on choosing terms
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Casey
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: a tool to help you identify gendered and ableist language
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Supporting inclusive forms design with design systems
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Plain language

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Plainlanguage.gov
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, maintained by the US federal government, is a great resource for how to implement plain language. Their site also includes
examples
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of plain language in action.

Human-centered design

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Nielsen Norman Group
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Content strategy
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Information architecture
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Writing for the web
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Web usability
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Why you only need to test with 5 users
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Tools

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Hemingway Editor
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ODI's
plain language checklist
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: detailed guidance on how to improve your content

Books

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Content Design
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by Sarah Winters
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Writing for dollars, writing to please: The case for plain language in business, government, and law
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by Joseph Kimble

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Share feedback
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This is a proof of concept. See GitBook for source of truth - 9/15/2023
Principles
Style guides
How to’s
Accessibility
Content design
Inclusive language
Plain language
Human-centered design
Tools
Books
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