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Can you write in plain language?
By: Beth Minnigerode | 08/09/2010
- 46% of adults in the U. S. cannot understand the label on their prescription medicine.
- 50% of adults in the U.S. are unable to read an eighth grade level book.
- 44 million adults in the U.S. can't read well enough to read a simple story to a child.
Alarming statistics that all communicators should keep in mind when they are writing a piece for the general public -- especially those writing in the ever-complex health care industry.
In my research to continue to build our skills in plain language writing, I've come across some great resources that I'd like to share with our readers:
- Center for Plain Language
- Plainlanguage.gov
- Health Literacy Missouri - a great resource right in our own backyard
- Plain Talk in Complex Times Conference - the 2010 conference just ended, but check it out for 2011
Posted in Public Relations
comments
Beth says:
Tue, August 10, 2010 at 2:06:pm
Thanks Kristin!
I’ll be sure to post additional resources as I come across them.
Kristin Hall says:
Tue, August 10, 2010 at 10:22:am
Great post, Beth - especially in light of health care reform. It’s challenging to communicate pertinent health care information, some of it very technical, without leaving some of our audience in the dust due to the statistics listed above. Thanks for the links - very helpful!