Writing for the Public

For those of us at Advocacy who write public-facing documents (blogs, research summaries, even some reports), ensuring clear and accurate communication is critical to fulfill our mission. However, legal and academic writing is rarely geared toward public consumption. Part of the duties of the Office of Information is to ensure that when you are preparing public-facing materials, those materials are as clear and concise as possible.

The following section is designed to help Advocacy staff in translating technical, specialized writing to a general audience. Advocacy staff are encouraged to follow GSA’s Plain Language Guidelines as closely as possible without violating technical standards. GSA’s guidelines are the official set for the Plain Language Act of 2010, which requires federal agencies engage in “clear government communication that the public can understand and use.” The sections below highlight some of the biggest issues in translating legal and academic writing to popular audiences, geared toward the concerns facing Advocacy. While in some situations, technical language is unavoidable, writers are encouraged to follow these guidelines wherever possible. Remember, if at any time you have questions about how to write clearly, ask the staff Editor or Senior Editor for assistance.

Visit the Writing Accessible Content section for tips on how to create accessible tables.