The document summarizes the topics covered in Session 1 of an online course on writing plain language web content. It included an overview of the course, an introduction to plain language principles and guidelines, a review of a pre-course assignment, instruction on writing task-oriented web content, and a wrap-up of Session 1. For homework, students were assigned to rewrite a task page and read a chapter on understanding the audience.

1. Write Great Web Content: Plain Language in Action Session 1: May 19, 2011

6. What is plain language?

9. Plain language: It’s the law

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

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

16. Does plain language = web writing?

18. Part 3: Review pre-course assignment and reading

22. Name the task clearly and provide an overview

23. Identify the outcome of the task

24. Identify the outcome of the task

25. Make the task scannable

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

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

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