About This Website > Plain Language: An FDA Initiative for Written Communications

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has a website describing its effort to use plain language in agency publications:

Writing in plain language is not unprofessional. It’s not “dumbing down” the message or “talking down” to the audience. When you write clearly and get to the point without using unnecessary words or technical jargon, you get your message across more quickly and increase the chance the information will be understood and used.

FDA and our sister agencies in the Department of Health and Human Services are dedicated to using plain language. Our scientists, budget analysts, regulatory experts, and other professionals have valuable information to share, but it’s not effective if the target audience doesn’t understand it.

The site includes common characteristics of plain language, suggestions on writing for the Web, and alternative choices for long words and wordy phrases.

For more online resources about plain language and concise writing, check out these free websites of mine:

• Garbl's Concise Writing Guide
• Garbl's Plain English Writing Guide
• Garbl's Fat-Free Writing Links.