Plain Language Awards

Celebrate the stories of our clearest business communicators

Power to the people — vote for plain!

Which do you choose? Nominate the good and the bad for the People’s Choice | Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash


Have you ever found a document so challenging to read that you had to call on a mate for help? Or have you found a document so surprisingly easy to read that the stress lines of those furrowed brows just disappeared in a flash?

You have the power to tell the world what you want from anything you read — and plain is the way to go! And the two People’s Choice categories can help you and others choose plain over waffle.


Fight the good fight and show what’s right

Imagine a world where your insurance documents, legal contracts, application forms, and other important pieces of information are clear and easy to read. The more that we all speak up and demand clear communication, the better it gets for everyone!

The Best Plain English Communication shows the world that plain English is the right way to write. You can give someone a pat on the back for an amazing piece of writing.

As Awards MC and long-time supporter James Elliott puts it:

Plain English is hard to define but we recognise its absence when we see gobbledygook.

Show the world what good looks like, and help create demand for lots more good writing!

Nominate a People’s Choice Best Communication


Don’t strain the brain — make it plain

How many brains does it take to change a lightbulb? If it takes more than one person or read-through to ‘click’ with what you’re reading, the writer hasn’t done a good job.

Call out poor communication! The Brainstrain category highlights communications that could be much clearer. Past winners of this infamous award have taken the award in good humour and seen the opportunities to improve.

Nominate a Brainstrain


Let the People’s Choice be your voice!

Vote for clarity and clear communication. Exercise your democratic right and let your voice be heard.

We don’t want to deal with jargon. We don’t want obscurity. We don’t want confusion when we read anything. We want to understand everything, plain and simple!

Submit your nomination