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


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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Reach for the stars by transforming your legal documents using plain language | Photo by Graham Holtshausen on Unsplash


Legal writing doesn’t need to be legalese. The judges for the Best Plain Language Legal Document are looking for excellent examples of legal writing that push the boundaries of what we might think legal writing typically looks like.

No longer stuffy or wordy, filled with passive voice or obfuscation, today’s legal writing is clear and concise yet still legally rigorous.

The judges of last year’s winning document said:

The document feels friendly and manageable. It skilfully employs all the right plain English and clear design techniques. Its language and layout make understanding it as easy as it can be without losing its legal rigour.

And they commented on the design of the document too:

Plenty of white space with tables, diagrams and worked examples used to help convey information. Good consistency in heading size and use of colour.

The document has a good tone. It’s friendly but professional — and that’s not always an easy balance to strike.


Clarify the complex

Plain legal documents do a great job of clarifying the complex so that you don’t need a law degree to understand the content.

The judges were also impressed by one of last year’s finalists:

The language used is mainly plain and great care has gone into making sure complex rules and processes are explained as clearly as possible.

Of another finalist they said:

This report is very easy to navigate, particularly considering the complexity of the information presented. It tackles a complex (and potentially eye-glazing) subject very well. It’s a visually appealing document with great use of colour and graphics. The structure works well with a logical flow and the essential, need-to-know information is clearly presented. An excellent job all round.


Enter your plain legal document

The judges are looking for the best example of a legal document written in plain language. You can enter a document used in legal contexts or for legal purposes. Examples include contracts, agreements, terms and conditions, notices, deeds, judgments, legal opinions, and so on. The document may cover a legally enforceable Act, process, obligation, or right.

Here are the judging criteria. And remember the judges will also be keen to know if you’ve evaluated your document in any way, such as carrying out document user-testing.

Purpose

The purpose of the document is clear at the start, and the content supports the purpose of the document.

Structure

The structure is clear and logical to the reader.

Headings and main messages

The headings are informative and clearly signpost the main messages.

Paragraphs

The paragraphs are mostly short and focused on one topic.

Sentences

The sentences are mostly short and straightforward.

Words

The words are precise and familiar. Technical terms are explained.

Layout and presentation

The layout helps the reader absorb the messages quickly and easily.


Check out the criteria for the Best Plain Language Legal Document

Meet the 2021 winners and finalists for the Best Plain Language Legal Document

Meet the judges for the Plain Language Awards

Posted In: 2022 Plain Language Awards, Communications, Legal writing

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It's time for clarity! Tell your friends and colleagues that the Awards are open for entries | Photo of tūī by Mark Trufitt on Excio


It’s time for clarity! Entries are now open for this year’s Awards in all categories. As we’re sure you’ll agree, the Awards have a category for almost every type of business writing.

From macro to micro

Perhaps your plain language project has been running for a while and you’re now ready to enter the premier Plain Language Champion — Best Organisation category. Or you might be starting small by entering the Best Plain Language Sentence Transformation.

From jargon-filled to easy-to-read

Have you turned a document or website from gobblydegook into something clear, concise, and jargon-free? Produced a shining example of anti-legalese that your clients love? Or dazzled your stakeholders with an awesome annual report that ticks all the reporting boxes?

Our judges are looking forward to seeing outstanding examples that defy the stereotypes of legal writing and business jargon.

From individual to team contributors

Technical communicators — get ready to send us your portfolios! Plain language project teams and individuals — prepare your submissions! We’re keen to celebrate your work whether it’s behind the scenes or front and centre in your organisation or sector.

From transformation to celebration

Another category the judges always love is the Best Plain Language Turnaround — especially if the turnaround was inspired by a Brainstrain nomination in previous years. And members of the public are welcome to nominate examples of the Best Communication or the Worst Brainstrain for the People’s Choice Awards.


You’ll find lots of inspiration in the statements from our 2021 winners and finalists. And plenty more on the gallery page where we showcase video stories of plain language initiatives.

Meet our 2021 winners and finalists

Get inspired by the stories in our gallery and share your own story

Entries are open until 31 July, so start planning your entry now. Once again we welcome entries from both New Zealand and Australian-based organisations.


Choose your categories for the 2022 Awards

Get involved with the People’s Choice Awards

Read about the benefits of sponsoring the Awards

Sign up to our newsletter for the latest news

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

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The Plain Language Bill starts its journey | Photo by Sulthan Auliya on Unsplash


The Plain Language Bill is being considered by the New Zealand Parliament. If the bill becomes law, it will require all government agencies to communicate in plain language.

Below you can read the submission made by the WriteMark Plain English Awards Trust to the Governance and Administration Select Committee.


The WriteMark Plain English Awards Trust advocates for the use of plain language in all documents that affect our ability to participate and function well in New Zealand society.

The Trust achieves its purpose primarily through running the annual Plain English Awards, which aim to:

  • improve government and business documents so that all New Zealanders can understand them raise public awareness of the need for, and benefits of, plain language
  • create a public preference for organisations that choose to communicate in plain language.

What is plain language?

Plain language (sometimes called plain English in New Zealand) is a style of writing in which the language, structure, and presentation of a document all work together to help the reader. A document written in plain language is easy to read, understand, and act on after just one reading.


30 March 2022

Governance and Administration Select Committee

Parliament Buildings

Submission in support of the Plain Language Bill

Tēnā koe

The WriteMark Plain English Awards Trust strongly supports the Plain Language Bill. This submission sets out our reasons and offers some suggestions to make the bill even more useful.

Why we support the bill

Over the past 17 years our interactions with public and private sector organisations, and members of the public, have given us an insider’s view of how language quality affects organisational outcomes and citizens’ lives. We can say unequivocally, that much public sector writing falls far short of the label ‘plain’. Many documents are unclear, lack a human-centred approach, and do not fulfil their purpose.

So, we strongly support any initiative to improve the quality of public-facing government documents. Our view is coloured by both the negatives mentioned below from the People’s Choice category and, conversely, by surveys that capture the real-world impact of excellent documents.

The public speak — evidence of harm and frustration from poorly written documents

In particular, documents and websites nominated in the People’s Choice Worst Brainstrain category emphasise the degree of harm and frustration, not to mention the waste of time and resources, created by poor writing.

A high proportion of the nominations in the Brainstrain category are complaints and concerns about communications from government agencies. They document the damage, frustration, and stress caused by unclear or misleading information, forms, and policies.

Just a few examples of government agencies ‘dobbed in’ by the public include the Reserve Bank, Inland Revenue, Commerce Commission, Ministry of Education, Department of Internal Affairs, Parliamentary Service, Earthquake Commission, and the (then State) Services Commission.

In many of the Brainstrain category nominations, we hear the real-world stories from people who were not served well by their government. They missed a deadline, couldn’t access a health service, missed out on the right benefit, underpaid tax, or didn’t apply for a government job — all because they didn’t understand, or they misunderstood. Most of these cases paint a picture of members of the public feeling vulnerable, disillusioned, and unheard.

Applying lessons from the good

Of course, the Plain English Awards are mostly about celebrating the good. We see outstanding examples of plain language every year and applaud those government agencies who write for the public with clarity and empathy. What would happen if all agencies wrote to that high standard? What if excellence were the norm?

Those agencies that write well give us a glimpse of what the Plain Language Act could achieve. Based on the outcomes noted on the entry forms of category winners, we’d see a positive transformation in writing quality inside government agencies. This shift would in turn result in a positive change in public perceptions.

In government agencies we’d see:

  • significant efficiencies in producing documents, saving time and salaries
  • greater ability to meet deadlines, with a better-quality result
  • fewer misunderstandings
  • more coherent, better planned messaging — getting it right the first time
  • less time and angst answering the public’s queries because confusion has been removed
  • less time editing or reworking colleagues’ documents that fall short of the basic standards of plain language
  • less money being wasted on civil servants having to learn new ways of writing every time they move departments
  • the likelihood that government ministers would drop their personal preferences that cost so many writers so much time.

We’d also see:

  • easier working lives and greater job satisfaction for ministers and civil servants alike — this means reduced stress, fewer sick days, few resignations, and reduced likelihood of unmotivated workers
  • a recognisable government style that is clear, human, and helpful.

For members of the public, we’d see:

  • people feeling empowered to access the information they need
  • more equitable access to information because people can find and understand the information they need
  • reduced need to contact agencies to clarify information or instructions
  • greater trust and confidence in government communications
  • an observable humanising of tone, even in communications from regulatory agencies.

Additionally, businesses and other organisations would gain a touchstone for what good writing looks like — an impact that cannot be underestimated.

Recommendations to take the bill further

We have two recommendations to increase the impact of the bill and reduce the cost of administration across government agencies.

Include a plain language standard to clarify expectations

The Plain English Awards are based on the aspiration of writing to a high standard. Indeed, they take their name from standards-based sponsor WriteMark. Therefore, we highly recommend that the bill require government agencies to adopt a short and achievable writing standard such as the freely available and customisable Write Plain Language Standard.

We understand that this useful standard is already widely used and adapted by many New Zealand government agencies, plus a number of organisations internationally. Providing agencies with a documented standard makes expectations clear and avoids duplicate effort across the public sector.

Include consequences for non-compliance

The bill has so much potential to improve the effectiveness and reputation of government. But we are concerned that it may have much less impact if there are no meaningful consequences for failing to implement it. Our contacts in the US plain language movement tell us that the US Plain Writing Act was quite effective at first, but became much less so over time as agencies realised nothing would happen if they did not comply.

Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Gregory Fortuin

WriteMark Plain English Awards Trust

Posted In: 2022 Plain Language Awards, Clear communication, Communications

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It’s time for clarity like these crystal clear reflections at Lake Dunstan, Bendigo in Otago, New Zealand | Photo by Stewart Watson on Excio


With entries for the 2022 Awards opening very soon, we’ve been making a few changes at Awards Central!

Welcome to our new Awards coordinator

First of all, we welcome our new Awards coordinator, Shelly Shah, to the Awards Working Group. Shelly will be helping us with all aspects of the 2022 Awards — from organising the entry process and confirming sponsors and judges, right through to coordinating the Awards ceremony in late October. You’ll hear more from Shelly as we move through the various phases of the Awards.

Write Limited is proud to sponsor the Awards and provides administrative support as part of its sponsorship.

New year, new name

Have you noticed a slight change in our branding? Yes, the Awards are now called the Plain Language Awards.

Some of you commented in the survey at the end of 2021 recommending this change. Like you, we hope that changing the name of the Awards will make the event even more inclusive. And our trustees agreed unanimously with the proposal.

Changing the name of the Awards reflects the general shift to talk about ‘plain language’ in many community and business contexts, rather than ‘plain English’. You’ll have noticed that the Plain Language Bill that’s going through New Zealand’s Parliament also uses ‘plain language’ in its title!

The term ‘plain English’ is still relevant in international contexts when we wish to talk about plain English contrasted with, for example, plain Japanese or plain Spanish.

Awards founder Lynda Harris says:

We’ve been keen to update the name of the Awards for some time. But we knew we’d have a lot to do even though we’re only changing one word! We decided to make it happen for 2022. The Awards have been running for an incredible 17 years and this change feels like a fantastic refresh of our brand!

Awards patron Chloe Wright says:

‘Language’ is so relevant to today.

Our fabulous designer and long-term sponsor, Craig Christensen of Graphic Solutions, has been working his magic and is updating our branding elements and the website.

Thanks for your feedback on the 2021 Awards

Thanks to everyone who replied to our survey with their feedback. You can read the results of the survey on our website. Overall you thought the online ceremony worked well, enabling more people to join from around New Zealand and the rest of the world. And it’s great to hear that you agree the Awards are still making a difference!

Find out what people said about the Awards in 2021


Posted In: 2022 Plain Language Awards, Communications

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