Plain Language: A Few Words from the Federal Register

[This week’s Plain Language writing tip comes to us from Succinct Sultan Jim Worsham.]

We here at Writing Tip Headquarters never tire of trying to say things with as few words as possible. That’s why we have in past columns offered you suggestions for tightening your writing.

We’re doing so again here, courtesy of the Office of the Federal Register’s “Plain Language Tools” page.

The Federal Register’s web page about drafting Federal documents provides ways to say things in fewer words. Many of the words are legal terms that staff encounter while preparing the daily Federal Register.

But we found some that are widely used throughout the Archives and thought we’d share them with you. Let’s shine the light on the Federal Register’s efforts to infuse its work with plain language.

Below is a sample of what to say and not say, but if you’d like - take a look at the full list.