We’ve developed tools and guides to help staff and contractors integrate plain writing into their work. We’ve included these documents on the intranet, CMS.gov and in our plain writing training.

Always define an abbreviation the first time you use it, for example, “The American Journal of Plain Language Studies” (AJPLA). And limit the number of abbreviations you use in one document to no …

Place main ideas, important information, or general information frst, followed by details and other information. • Use lists, tables, charts, graphics, or images. • Use question, statement, or topic …

First, the section “Writing for Plain Language” helps us comply with the Plain Writing Act of 2010. Second, it addresses many of the questions and issues unanswered by the Government Printing …

• Executive Order 12866: Regulatory Drafting and Review – (PDF) requires agencies to create simple, easy-to- understand regulations, and to provide the public with information written in plain, …

Federal standards also make plain language a priority. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says, “Documents written in plain language are less complex and therefore easier for …

Use ALL CAPS for acronyms and initialisms, not emphasis or headings. NO ANGRY WRITING!!! Use styles in Word! Heading levels must be visually and programmatically distinct.