Plain Language Resource Guide

NCSC > Access and Fairness > Plain Language > Resource Guide

Resource Guide

Contact an expert

Unlike the complex stylistic writing of most legal documents, plain language is a more precise and unambiguous style that allows readers’ to benefit by understanding and interpreting the document in a faster and easier manner. This topic offers resources describing the advantages of using plain language instead of the traditional legalistic style, as well as techniques and guidelines for writing in plain language.

Links to related online resources are listed below. Non-digitized publications may be borrowed from the NCSC Library; call numbers are provided.

General

A Plain English Handbook: How to Create Clear SEC Disclosure Documents . (1998). Washington, DC: U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Investor Education and Assistance This handbook shows how you can use well-established techniques for writing in plain English to create clearer and more informative disclosure documents.

Judicial Writing Manual. (1991). Washington, DC: Federal Judicial Center This manual assists judges in organizing and writing opinions.

Plain Language Tools. National Archives and Records Administration, Office of the Federal Register As part of their effort to help agencies produce clear, enforceable regulatory documents, the Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration, provides this guide to legal writing. See also Drafting Legal Documents.

Plain Language.gov . Provides a host of resources on plain language, especially geared toward government documents.

Bresler, Kenneth. The Clear Writing Company. Bresler writes a free biweekly electronic newsletter, "Clear Writing Tips."

The Plain Language Association International (PLAIN). (December 2005). This web site provides free plain-language articles, writing tutorials, web links, news, networking opportunities, professional support, and e-mail discussion group. The site also offers PLAIN membership, connections with consultants, and professional conferences.

Judicial System

Kimble, Joseph. Answering the Critics of Plain Language. (April 2003). The author explores old and new criticisms of the plain language movement and attempts to dispel misconceptions about plain language in legal writing.

Clarity: The Worldwide Lawyers` Group Campaigning for Plain Legal Language.. (June 2005). Clarity is a worldwide group of lawyers and interested lay people. Its aim is the use of good, clear language by the legal profession. The association publishes a journal, Clarity, which is available to members.

Mindlin, Maria. Is Plain Language Better?: Comparative Readability Study of Plain Language Court Forms. (2004). Transend The article provides the results from the first quantitative readability study of plain language court forms in the United States.

Bresler, Kenneth L. Kissing Legalese Goodbye. (2001). Buffalo, NY: William S. Hein & Co. This book lists common legalese that lawyers (and non-lawyers) love to use, followed by the everyday words that they should use instead.

Jury Proceedings

Civil Jury Instructions Resource Center. (2004). Judicial Council of California The Judicial Council at its July 2003 meeting unanimously approved approximately 800 new civil jury instructions and special verdict forms for use in California trial courts. In introducing the instructions, Chief Justice Ronald M. George stated, “The new plain English jury instructions are a major contribution to the Judicial Council’s historic efforts to reform the California jury system. The new simplified jury instructions will help ensure that jurors understand the law and apply it correctly during their deliberations." Press Releases: New-English Jury Instructions Adopted to Assist Jurors in California Courts (July 16, 2003); Judicial Council Wins National Award for Jury Instructions (June 25, 2003).

Munsterman, G.Thomas, Paula Hannaford-Agor, and G. Marc Whitehead. Jury Trial Innovations. (1997). 200 pages.

Jury Trial Innovations brings you up-to-date on the most recent techniques and ideas for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of jury trials. Topics include using plain language instead of legalese during trial and when drafting juror instructions.

Plain Language: Before and After Jury Proceedings.. This site provides examples to improve the jurors' understanding of court instructions before and after jury proceedings.