The document outlines the agenda and content for Session 1 of a course on writing plain language web content. It covers an introduction to plain language and the Plain Writing Act, an overview of writing task-oriented web content clearly and concisely, and assigns homework of rewriting a task page and reading a chapter on understanding audiences.

1. Write Great Web Content: Plain Language in Action Session 1: September 8, 2011

2. Agenda for Session 1 Part 1: Course overview Part 2: Plain language overview Part 3: Review pre-course assignment Part 4: Write task-oriented web content Part 5: Session 1 wrap-up Part 6: Session 1 homework – writing assignment and reading assignment

3. Course Objectives for Session 1 In this session, you will learn: What plain language is and how agencies should respond to the Plain Writing Act of 2010 How to write task-oriented web content

4. Agenda for Session 1 Part 1: Course overview Part 2: Plain language overview Part 3: Review pre-course assignment Part 4: Write task-oriented web content Part 5: Session 1 wrap-up Part 6: Session 1 homework – writing assignment and reading assignment

5. Part 1: Course overview Four online course meetings (live webinars) on September 8, 15, 22, and 29 Pre-course writing assignment Brief web writing practices during the online course meetings Remember to print the PPT and other files before each meeting Readings and web writing homework after each course meeting Course text: Letting Go of the Words , by Ginny Redish

6. Agenda for Session 1 Part 1: Course overview Part 2: Plain language overview Part 3: Review pre-course assignment Part 4: Write task-oriented web content Part 5: Session 1 wrap-up Part 6: Session 1 homework – writing assignment and reading assignment

7. What is plain language?

8. Plain language is a communication philosophy “ Plain language…is communication your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it.” “ A communication is in plain language if the…audience for that communication can quickly and easily find what they need understand what they find act appropriately on that understanding”

9. Plain language is a community Organizations Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN) Center for Plain Language Clarity Federal agencies Designated senior official Plain language program Plain language awards Center for Plain Language’s ClearMark Award Legal Writing Institute’s Golden Pen Award NIH’s Plain Language/Clear Communication Award

10. Plain language: It’s the law

11. Final guidance on implementing the Plain Writing Act of 2010

12. Plain language shapes writers’ decisions at every stage of the writing process Planning stage Does this content meet an actual need? Have the writers anticipated readers’ questions? Does it have a clear message? Will it enable readers to take action? Drafting stage Is the content broken into logical units or chunks? Does the content offer the right amount and type of information; does it answer readers’ questions? Does it include headings that will enable readers to scan? Reviewing stage Is the writing concise? Is the wording concrete? Will readers understand the jargon or acronyms? Are the sentences written in active voice?

13. Plain language: We know it when we see it

14. Not plain language Local Veterans Employment Representatives conduct outreach to employers to engage in advocacy efforts with hiring executives to increase employment opportunities for veterans, encourage the hiring of disabled veterans and generally assist veterans to gain and retain employment.

15. Why is this not plain? Local Veterans Employment Representatives conduct outreach to employers to engage in advocacy efforts with hiring executives to increase employment opportunities for veterans, encourage the hiring of disabled veterans and generally assist veterans to gain and retain employment.

16. Plain language rewrite Local Veterans Employment Representatives contact employers to encourage them to hire veterans, including disabled veterans, and generally assist veterans in finding and keeping jobs.

17. Does plain language = web writing?

18. Course topics for Session 1 Part 1: Course overview Part 2: Plain language overview Part 3: Review pre-course assignment Part 4: Write task-oriented web content Part 5: Session 1 wrap-up Part 6: Session 1 homework – writing assignment and reading assignment

19. Part 3: Review pre-course writing assignment and look at course text

20. Course topics for Session 1 Part 1: Course overview Part 2: Plain language overview Part 3: Review pre-course assignment Part 4: Write task-oriented web content Part 5: Session 1 wrap-up Part 6: Session 1 homework – writing assignment and reading assignment

21. Part 4: Write task-oriented web content Helping people do things online (complete tasks) is web content’s highest calling Some web writing helps people know Some web writing helps people do Best practice: focus on top tasks

22. Six guidelines for writing task-oriented web content Name the task clearly and provide an overview. Identify the outcome of the task. Make the task scannable as users may bookmark it and return frequently. Provide an example, illustration, or screenshot when necessary. Link to background info instead of including it in the task. Make the web content substantive; don’t lock all the info about the task into the PDF form.

23. Name the task clearly and provide an overview

24. Identify the outcome of the task

25. Identify the outcome of the task

26. Make the task scannable

27. Provide an example, illustration, or screenshot - when necessary

28. Link to background info instead of including it in the task

29. Make the web content substantive; Don’t lock all the info in a PDF

30. Course topics for Session 1 Part 1: Course overview Part 2: Plain language overview Part 3: Review pre-course assignment Part 4: Write task-oriented web content Part 5: Session 1 wrap-up Part 6: Session 1 homework – writing assignment and reading assignment

31. Part 5: Session 1 wrap-up Questions? Web pages to look at again? Plain language writing practices to review? Guidelines for writing task-oriented web content to review?

32. Course topics for Session 1 Part 1: Course overview Part 2: Plain language overview Part 3: Review pre-course assignment Part 4: Write task-oriented web content Part 5: Session 1 wrap-up Part 6: Session 1 homework – writing assignment and reading assignment

33. Part 6: Writing and reading homework for Session 1 By Tuesday, September 13: Rewrite a task page Read Chapter 2, “People! People! People!”

34. Resource

35. Evaluation