Plain Language: Clear and Simple—Trainer's Guide is an invaluable resource for people who lead training programs in a plain language approach to communication.
A plain language approach involves understanding the needs of the readers, and then writing, revising and testing documents to make sure the documents meet those needs. The nine modules in this guide, meant for a two-day course, help participants build skills in these areas.
There are eight types of material in this guide:
- text,
- examples,
- exercises,
- tips for trainers,
- overhead transparency masters,
- a checklist,
- handouts, and
- references.
This training guide is meant to complement the publication Plain Language: Clear and Simple. After the course, participants can use Plain Language: Clear and Simple as an effective reference tool that provides a summary of the key concepts developed in this training guide.
Plain Language: Clear and Simple is a Government of Canada publication first published in 1991. The accompanying Plain Language: Clear and Simple—Trainer's Guide followed in 1994. Despite their age, they are still among the best resources for writers and editors who want to communicate efficiently. Because the department that first produced these guides no longer exists, plain language advocates are making them available on a cost-recovery basis, as allowed by Crown Copyright and Licensing.
A French version of this guide, Pour un style clair et simple,is also available.
Find a free PDF of this guide on the Clear Communication Wiki at http://clear-communication.wikia.com/wiki/Training.