Plain Language Awards

Celebrate the stories of our clearest business communicators

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Entries are still open! | Image by Hellie Hadfield


It’s down to the wire for entries, with the submission deadline tomorrow at midnight. If you’re still working away on your entry, here are seven top trophy tips to get a great result.


Here’s what the judges said!

  1. Make sure your submission stands out by using plain language and including visuals as well as words. Don’t just dump a lot of examples on the judges and assume we’ll get it. Rather carefully pick and choose examples and deliberately walk us through them — make the connections for us.

 

  1. Write for time-poor scanners who aren’t lawyers (this goes for all documents, but especially the technical ones!).

 

  1. Imagine you are in a room while the judges are reading out your entry and your comments, and everyone is looking at you.

 

  1. Even if you’re racing to meet the Awards deadline, make sure your entry and your comments are a joy to read. This is the ultimate evidence that you truly write for your reader.

 

  1. Push the envelope. Break down people’s assumptions of how your type of document or website ‘should’ look.

 

  1. (In the legal category), avoid legal jargon. If there’s a plain English equivalent that won’t jeopardize your legal rigour, use it!

 

  1. Really take your time to comment on your entry. If you explain what you’ve done and why you’ve done it, it helps me as a judge to get the bigger picture.

 


For more top trophy tips, check out our website, or watch our Q&A with Head Judge Simon Hertnon.

Trophy Tips webpage

Trophy Tips Q&A webinar

 

Entries close tomorrow night, so be quick and enter before they close!

Enter on our website

 

All the best with your entry!

Posted In: Communications


Your plain language story | Image by Hellie Hadfield


Share your plain language story with us

Here at Plain Language Awards HQ the only thing we love more than all things clear and simple is hearing from you!

So, tell us your plain language story. Upload a short video to our website, solo or grab some friends, and have fun — anything goes! (Well, almost!)

Keep reading for more information. Or jump straight in…

Upload your video

Let us know why plain language is important to you and your work

Have you created a seriously simple document, and want to share your journey? Or do you have a passion for plain language, and want to share the love? Maybe you’re entering the Awards this year, and want to show off your efforts. Or perhaps plain language has had a positive impact on you somehow.

We love hearing your stories, whether you’re bragging about your awesomeness or sharing what drives you. So, whatever your reason for sharing, we want to hear from you.

Here are some thought starters for you

Why did you choose to work through a plain language lens?

And did it create positive results?

Maybe some surprising ones?

Who benefited?

What did you enjoy?

What obstacles did you face?

How did you overcome them?

We’re all in this together, so let’s celebrate each other’s wins, commiserate the fails, and help each other along the way.

Think you can’t? Sure you can…

Not entering the Plain Language Awards this year? No worries! You can still enter a story video.

Camera shy? Don’t love technology? We’ve got you covered. How about a slide show with a voiceover? Or just shooting it on your phone? Head to our website for some more sage advice and a great how-to video by Jonny.

How to make a great video

Thank you for joining us

We truly believe in the power of words for good, and love that you have chosen to join us. So thank you for putting yourself out there, for sharing your story, and for raising the bar for clear communications. We can’t wait to hear your story!

Upload your video

Posted In: Communications


Ready Set Go! | Image by Hellie Hadfield


Newsflash: You can now collaborate on entries! Just hit the ‘manage collaborators’ link at the top of the entry form, and invite colleagues to work with you.

That’s right, we’ve gone live!

Entries are now open for the 2023 Plain Language Awards.

Our virtual postboxes at Awards HQ are waiting to be filled to the brim with your concise reports, clear technical documents, accessible websites, and simple sentences. As always, you can choose from 13 categories, so hop to it!

Short on time? Here are some easy ones…

Have you already transformed something old and gnarly into something clear and shiny? Whether a whole document or website, or merely a troublesome sentence, we’ve got you covered. Check out the Best Plain Language Turnaround and Best Plain Language Sentence Transformation categories.

Documents, plain and simple

The Best Plain Language Document category celebrates beautiful business documents that are clear on purpose and content. Enter yours in the category for public sector or private sector.

Maybe you and your team have been grappling with an annual report, making your end-of-year business story easy for all to absorb. If so, be sure to check out the Best Plain Language Annual Report category.

Or maybe you’ve created a masterful document that banishes legal jargon and uses plain language? If your document covers legal, financial, or compliance topics, check out Best Plain Language Legal Document.

Epic website?

For the technical whizzes and content enthusiasts, why not enter your super easy-to-use website in the Best Plain Language Website category?

Masters of simplification

Are you, or someone in your company, the go-to for simplifying technical topics and communicating with clarity? Then enter a portfolio in the Best Plain Language Technical Communicator.

Maybe an individual or a team in your organisation really stands out as having championed plain language changes? Maybe they’ve run workshops, created some resources, or led organisation-wide initiatives? Sounds like they should be put forward for the Plain Language Champion — Best Individual or Team.

Or, has your organisation taken things a step further, and successfully transformed the writing culture of the workplace? If so, prepare your entry portfolio for the Plain Language Champion — Best Organisation category.

Or nominate someone else

Seen someone else do an awesome job? Maybe your insurance company has a super clear website, or a friendly government agency communicated in a top-notch manner. If so, why not nominate them for People’s Choice — Best Plain Language Communication. They deserve to be celebrated!

If, on the other hand, you have come across some truly diabolical discourse, a real humdinging head-scratcher, why not enter it in People’s Choice — Worst Brainstrain Communication. That way, you’ll help to bring about a positive change.

So what are you waiting for?

The Awards categories have something for everyone and every type of business writing. So what are you waiting for? Get entering!

Enter the 2023 Plain Language Awards

 

 

 

Posted In: 2023 Plain Language Awards, Communications

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Kate Thompson, Tatiana Mes, and Lynda Harris


This Thursday, the Plain Language Association International (PLAIN) is hosting their first webinar of 2023, featuring our very own founding sponsor and two previous Awards winners.


Lynda Harris

Lynda is the CE of Write Limited and is our founding sponsor here at the Plain Language Awards. Having championed plain language principles for over three decades, who better to introduce the New Zealand Plain Language Act that comes into fruition in just a few days’ time? Lynda will also be advocating using words as a force for good in the world.

Kate Thompson

Last year, Kate led her team at thinkstep-anz to victory in the category of Best Plain Language Document — Private Sector. The document, A Life Cycle Assessment of New Zealand Mussels and Oysters, is a great example of a straightforward, easy-to-read paper. And an impressive feat, given it was whittled down from a complex, 135-page technical report. Kate will share why the judges were understandably impressed.

Tatiana Mes

Also in 2022, Tatiana and her team at Mercer (N.Z.) Limited took out top spot for the Best Plain Language Website with www.seatatthetable.co.nz. The judges loved the personality infused into an easy-to-navigate site, while Tatiana emphasised the importance of inclusivity — both in terms of the content and accessibility of the website. She will be talking through the concepts behind this in the webinar.


The webinar promises to be a wonderfully insightful session, and a great place to pick up some tips for entries into this year’s Awards. So, tune in to discover the secrets behind a winner in clear communication!

Find out more, or register for the webinar

Posted In: Communications


The Plain Language Act is the start of a new era | Photo by DaMoJo on excio.io


Lynda Harris, chief executive of Write Limited and founder of the Plain Language Awards, gave this speech at the online Awards ceremony on 27 October 2022.


Kia ora koutou, welcome plain language friends

Who would have thought that we’d be not only celebrating finalists and winners today, but the birth of a Plain Language Act as well. It feels like a new era. It’s been thrilling to receive so many well wishes from plain language advocates around the world … these include people in government, in healthcare, in the legal and financial sectors, all of whom see New Zealand’s legislation as a model for others to follow.

Unfortunately, those who opposed the bill called it a ‘stupid piece of legislation that doesn’t actually fix anything, And there’s absolutely no evidence that there’s actually a problem.’


There is evidence. Plenty of it.

And because of that, I believe this is a historic moment with so much potential for good. Let me show you why.

First let’s start with the many reasons as to ‘why plain language matters to you and me’. The reasons are the things we talk about often: transparency, access to justice and to the rights we enjoy as people who live here, efficiency, trust, fairness, and many more foundational concepts that we believe make a healthy, happy society.

We don’t tend to notice when these important expectations play out as they should. But we do take notice when they don’t. We quickly tend toward frustration, indignation, perhaps even anger. We might even give up.

The members of the public who nominate documents and websites for the Brainstrain award certainly feel those things. Thinking back over nominations for that dubious award I can recall:

  • a frazzled business owner who was deeply frustrated by a COVID-19 leave application form
  • a passenger who described their search for information on an airline’s website ‘as going around in circles’
  • someone reading a council letter who said ‘I felt a bit ill when I tried to read this impenetrable letter’
  • a director trying to update company details on what he called ‘this dreaded website, whose interface is user-unfriendly to an unusual degree’
  • a deeply frustrated parent trying to enrol their children in a rural primary school
  • a person with a masters degree who angrily said they couldn’t understand a letter from their city council
  • a frustrated customer of a major bank who described a letter as unintelligible
  • an elderly woman who couldn’t understand an important letter from the hospital
  • a student who couldn’t navigate a form for a badly needed loan.

Those who nominated these documents are everyday people, like you and me … consumers, parents, small business owners, ratepayers, travellers, students, patients, and individuals simply trying to get our lives in order. So that’s evidence at a personal level.


But there’s more.

A second set of evidence of the need for plain language is found in the many submissions on the Bill. They came from groups and individuals from every walk of life, some already disadvantaged in one way or another. But the story was always the same … hurt, harm, frustration, barriers, all caused by unclear information. I wish I had time to share some of them with you.

And now let’s look at a third set of evidence. I’m talking about your entries, that came from across the public and private sectors on a vast array of topics, written for audiences representing every aspect of New Zealand society. Every one of you wrote, or rewrote those documents, because you saw evidence that something wasn’t working, or you understood the consequences of not communicating well, and you did something about it. And you did it for others, not for you.


Which brings me back to my comment that the Act has tremendous potential for good, and particularly so through you, who are already plain language advocates.

I see the Act as a giant OPPORTUNITY for all, in neon capital letters. And I suggest that that we can do two things — at least — to make the most of it.

The first is to:

Speak up: in your workplace, step into your reader’s shoes, notice more, find the stories that need to be told. In your private life, be an aware consumer, speak up when information isn’t plain, not only for yourself, but for those who feel the fault in comprehension is theirs, when we know that it’s not.

And the second is to:

User-test: Be an agent for change by getting proof of what’s not working. You won’t know what people understand or don’t understand from your messages if you don’t ask them. And you won’t know their emotional reaction either. You’ll be amazed at what people tell you if they are given a chance.

I recall some user-testing we did for a law firm years ago. The senior team didn’t believe a communication problem existed because no one complained. The frank and somewhat shocking feedback from the user-test group led the team to humbly conclude ‘silence doesn’t mean satisfaction’.

And so to end, may I suggest that you, who know the power of plain language, use this new Act as the wind beneath your wings. Allow it to be a triumph for democracy, and a catalyst to achieve all those things we mentioned at the start — equity, inclusion, transparency, and above all, clarity in the documents that we all need to live our lives well.

And congratulations to all our winners, finalists, and entrants celebrated here today.


 

Posted In: 2022 Plain Language Awards, 2022 Plain Language Awards ceremony, Story theme

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Good, better, best: it's over to the judges to decide | Photo by Canstock


Thanks to all who entered this year’s Awards! After a flurry of last-minute entries, we have handed everything over to our intrepid judging team. All 36 of them!

This year a third of the judges are from New Zealand and the rest are from the US, UK, Australia, and Europe. All are accomplished plain language experts and strong advocates for Ernest Gowers’ advice: ‘Be short, be simple, be human’.

How do our expert independent judges pick their winners? It’s a big job so we thought you’d like to know a bit more about it.


First up, shortlisting

First, our judges read over each entry, carefully checking against the plain language criteria. Then they vote on their shortlist. This all happens independently in the Submittable system, which allows ‘thumbs-up, thumbs-down’ voting.


Next, reviewing

Next, judges do a detailed review of all entries, writing comments for each of the assessment criteria. Each panel works hard to make sure feedback is balanced, fair, and helpful. The goal at this stage is to recognise and affirm great writing and to help entrants do even better by making suggestions and giving examples for improvement.

We know that entrants really value the expert feedback. For some, it’s the best aspect of entering! Submittable calculates scores for each of the criteria and averages them across the judging panel to help the panel agree on a few contenders for the category awards.


Last, picking the finalists and winners

Now the judges deliberate as a team to pick their finalists and winners — quite a logistics exercise with judges living all over the globe! The deliberation stage can involve lots of lively debate, especially when many entries are of a very high standard!

When judges need to choose between two excellent entries, it usually comes down to impact. Entries where the work has made the greatest positive impact will usually triumph.

When all is agreed, lead judges review the written comments for all shortlisted entries to make extra sure that the comments are clear and helpful.

So if you entered this year, good luck! Regardless of the outcome, you’ve done a good thing and your users are thanking you! (A trophy is good too of course!)


How the judging process works

Judges for the 2022 Plain Language Awards

Posted In: 2022 Plain Language Awards, Judges, Shortlists

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You’ve now got till 5pm on Thursday, 4 August to enter the Plain Language Awards | Photo by Makarios Tang on Unsplash


Did you miss the deadline but still have something to enter? We’re giving you one last chance!

We’re extending the closing date for entries so you have little extra time to enter the Plain Language Awards.

Entries for the 2022 Plain Language Awards will now close at 5pm on Thursday, 4 August.


Nominate the good and the bad for the People’s Choice

Make a difference! Dob in a bad document, or praise an easy-to-read one! The more the public speak up and demand plain language, the easier it is for us all.

Power to the people — vote for plain!

Have you read something that strained your brain? Nominate it!

Get involved with the People’s Choice


It only takes a sentence!

If you’re short on time, enter a few beautifully transformed sentences for the Best Plain Language Sentence Transformation award.

Well-written sentences create a fine reading experience

Enter your transformed sentences by 4 August


Is your website based on plain language principles?

The Best Plain Language Website category recognises the best examples of websites that illustrate the principles of plain language. The judges are looking for highly usable, reader-focused website or intranet content. Public and private sector organisations can enter.

Meet the 2021 public sector winner, Ministry of Social Development

Meet the 2018 private sector winner, Xero

Meet the 2018 public sector winner, Auckland Council

Enter the Best Plain Language Website by 4 August


Get the recognition you deserve for your clear communications

The Plain Language Awards are one of New Zealand’s leading industry awards. Imagine how good you and your team would feel if you became a finalist … or even a winner?!

Find out more about our Awards categories

Get some inspiration from our past winners


submit


Posted In: 2022 Plain Language Awards, Best Plain English Sentence, Best Plain Language Sentence Transformation, Communications, Industry awards, People's Choice, People's Choice awards


You’ve now got till 5pm on Tuesday, 2 August to enter the Plain Language Awards | Photo by charlesdeluvio on Unsplash


We know what it’s like to be busy, and how difficult it can be to meet deadlines when the pressure’s on. That’s why we’re extending the closing date for entries so you have little extra time to enter the Plain Language Awards.

Entries for the 2022 Plain Language Awards will now close at 5pm on Tuesday, 2 August.


Get the recognition you deserve for your clear communications

The Plain Language Awards are one of New Zealand’s leading industry awards. Imagine how good you and your team would feel if you became a finalist … or even a winner?!

Find out more about our Awards categories

Get some inspiration from our past winners


Nominate the good and the bad for the People’s Choice

Make a difference! Dob in a bad document, or praise an easy-to-read one! The more the public speak up and demand plain language, the easier it is for us all.

Power to the people — vote for plain!

Have you read something that strained your brain? Nominate it!

Get involved with the People’s Choice


It only takes a sentence!

If you’re short on time, enter a few beautifully transformed sentences for the Best Plain Language Sentence Transformation award.

Well-written sentences create a fine reading experience

Enter your transformed sentences by 2 August


Posted In: 2022 Plain Language Awards, Communications, People's Choice awards

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Create a fine reading experience for your readers by transforming your sentences into plain language | Photo by Delightin Dee on Unsplash


Melissa Wardell shares her thoughts on the award for Best Plain Language Sentence Transformation. Melissa is one of the judges for the category in 2022.


Communication is all about words. Words on their own are limited in how much meaning they can convey to the audience. How do we bring them together to carry more complex thoughts and ideas? By writing sentences, of course!

When words are combined into a well-written sentence, they inform and influence the reader. Sentences provide a stage for words to shine. That’s why the award for Best Plain Language Sentence Transformation is so revealing. The best sentence transformations show us what is possible at an easily digestible level.


Offer poorly written sentences a second chance

Not all sentences achieve their intended goal at first. But even clunky sentences deserve a second chance!

The Best Plain Language Sentence Transformation category offers you the opportunity to take the ingredients of a complex or clumsy sentence and remix them into something beautiful. To create a fine reading experience from what was a flop.

Have a look at an example of how to transform a sentence here (video by sponsor Write Limited)


Shine the light on your transformed sentences

The Best Plain Language Sentence Transformation recognises the best plain language rewrite of an ‘unplain’ sentence by a New Zealand or Australian organisation. Entries are judged against internationally accepted principles of plain language.

The Best Sentences know how to impress the judges in this category. In 2021, one of the judges said:

The original statement shows how authorities sometimes, without meaning to, create a sense of ‘us and them’. The new version’s writer saw potential to relate to readers as their equals. The rewritten sentences are short and use many everyday words. They apply several plain English principles.


What you need to know

You can enter up to three separate sentence transformations for one entry fee.

Judges will consider each sentence separately, so you have up to three chances of winning in this category!

Enter the Best Plain Language Sentence Transformation by 31 July

Meet 2021 winners Auckland Council

Meet the judges for the 2022 Plain Language Awards


 

Posted In: 2022 Plain Language Awards, Best Plain Language Sentence Transformation

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The amusingly named Brainstrain Award has a serious purpose: to effect change for good | Photo by Canstock


Here’s your chance to dob in a bad document and inspire better with the Brainstrain option of the People’s Choice Award!

When we’re forced to wrestle with a hard-to-read document, we grumble quietly or even complain loudly. It could be a form we need to complete, a contract or financial agreement we have to sign, or other vital information we need. If they’re not clearly written or presented, all can inspire a range of negative reactions!

Inaccessible information has serious effects

We often joke about dense, unhelpful, or poorly worded documents. We label them gobbledygook or jargon and then forget about them. But for many people, inaccessible information has more serious consequences. Barriers to understanding create disadvantage, mistakes, and stress. Lives are affected and the cost can be high.

So here’s your chance to put a spotlight on a bad document and prevent more harm. Nominate it for the 2022 People’s Choice Brainstrain Award! This award goes to the document or webpage most notable for confusing or disadvantaging its target audience. Judges take into account the number of people likely to be affected and the degree of frustration or harm caused. Any member of the public can make a nomination.

Do your bit to create a fairer and more respectful society

Although the ‘prize’ is given in good humour at the ceremony, the award has a very serious purpose — to prompt change and create a fairer and more respectful society. Many winners have accepted the feedback graciously and gone on to rewrite the offending text. Thousands of people have been positively affected by those rewrites, so here’s a chance to play your part.

Take action now and be a catalyst for change. (Nominations are kept confidential — your name and details are not made available to the perpetrator!)

Nominate a Brainstrain

Find out more about the People’s Choice Awards


 

Posted In: 2022 Plain Language Awards, People's Choice awards

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