Voice, tone and audience
Focus on the one essential thing you want your audience to remember after reading your content.
Plain Language 101 from DAS BITS on Vimeo.
Simple words, easy to follow, that's plain language. It helps everyone understand the information on your CT.gov website.
When writing your content, aim for for a 6th grade reading level. This ensures everyone can find and understand the important information you share.
Avoid confusing language, government jargon, and long sentences. The easier we make things for our customers, the more successful they'll be.
Ct.gov standards recommend a 6th grade reading level to ensure your content is accessible to the widest possible audience. At this level, information becomes easier to understand, reducing confusion, and allowing more customers to complete their tasks without assistance.
Need a content check? Use this free tool to check your reading grade level!
If your content meets these three objectives, you have likely written in plain language. Nice work!
CT.gov best practices suggest writing for a 6th grade reading level or below.
Example 1:
Example 2:
See more examples of plain language in action, join the plain language community, and get plain language training now!
Focus on the one essential thing you want your audience to remember after reading your content.
Build inclusive websites that are accessible to people with diverse abilities.
Inclusive web content removes bias and assumptions from a website so that users won’t feel excluded.