Chapter 9, Additional Exercise 7: Analyzing a Plain-Language Brochure

Plain Language Action Network (PLAN) is a federal program designed to encourage the use of easy-to-read language in government documents written for the public. In its how-to section, this site includes several guides, the most ambitious of which explains techniques for making writing easier to understand. Study "Writing User-Friendly Documents." What additional coherence elements might its writers have used to make the guide easier to read and understand? Also explore the site's Example Library section, which includes before and after samples of government documents. Study several of these samples, identifying techniques the writers have used to improve the documents. Do you agree with all the choices you see in the improved samples? Present your findings in a 500-word memo to your instructor. (See Chapter 14 for a discussion of memos.)