Some federal agencies employ a ‘senior official for plain writing’

One of these officials wrote about the experience this week. We are also introduced to a new conjunction and a new editing app, and we explore how writers interact with the world.

Revisiting the plain writing act. Last year, I highlighted the story of the Center for Plain Language, which grades federal agencies’ adherence to the Plain Writing Act (PWA). The PWA is a law that requires government officials to write clearly, and avoid excessive jargon or acronyms. First of all, yes, this is a real law. And second, there is a real non-profit called the Center for Plain Language. There’s even a “Senior Official for Plain Writing” within different federal agencies. In a blog post, the USDA’s senior official explains why that agency was ranked No. 1 in plain writing last year among federal agencies, and why it places a high emphasis on plain writing.