THE POWER OF
PLAIN ENGLISH
Module 1
Introduction
SECTION
1
Definitions & Features
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2
Benefits
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3
Who uses Plain English
SECTION
4
Origins of Plain English
Reading
On the Center for Plain Language Home page, read the
2021 Federal Report Card. After reading, check your understanding with the quiz.
Steven Pinker: Why Do Academics Write So Poorly?
Self-assessment
Topics Quiz
Readings Quiz
Module 2
Cognitive Load
SECTION
1
How Plain English reduces cognitive load for the reader and why that matters
SECTION
2
The difference between ‘simple’ and ‘simplistic’
Reading
Video 1: Cognitive Load Theory 1: An introduction 1 min 16 sec
Video 2: Cognitive Load Theory 2: Working and Long-Term memory 1 min 56 sec
Cognitive Load Theory 3: intrinsic, extraneous, germane. 2 min 37 sec
Self-assessment
Topics Quiz
Cognitive Load Quiz
Module 3
Basic Techniques
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1
Writing as speech made visible
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2
What clutter words look like
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3
A closer look at clutter
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4
Cutting Clutter an Example video
Practicum: Hunting for Clutter
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Practicum: Cutting Clutter
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Practicum: Not Only But Also
Answer Keys
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AFTER you do the practice exercises, compare your work to these sample revisions
Revisions for Practicum Revising to Cut Clutter
Revisions for Practicum Not Only But Also
Reading
13 Redundant Phrases You’re Probably Using All the Time
Cutting Clutter an Example.ppt
Cutting Clutter an Example Handout
Self-assessment
Topics Quiz
Module 4
More Basic Techniques
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1
SECTION
2
Topic 1: Using Strong Verbs
Topic 2 : Using Adjective Forms
Topic 3 : Simple vs Complex Words
Topic 1 : Redundancy
Topic 2 : Repetition
Practice
Practicum Revising to Cut Clutter with Strong Verbs
Practicum Using Adjective Forms
Practicum in Repetition
Answer Keys
Compare your work to these revisions:
Practicum Revising to Cut Clutter with Strong Verbs
Revisions for Practicum Using Adjective Forms
Reading
Seven Types of Repetition
17 Fantastic Examples of Repetition by Bookfox
Self-assessment
Topics Quiz
Module 5
Advanced Techniques
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1
Revising & Rewriting
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2
Fixing Postponement
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3
Long Sentences
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4
Transitions
SECTION
5
Revising and Rewriting Revisited
Practice
Practicum Postponement
Practicum Long sentences
Answer Keys
Answer Keys
Compare your work to these revisions:
Revisions for Practicum Postponement
​Revisions for Practicum Long sentences
Reading
2 Case Studies Revising Long Sentences
​Nepal's Response to Climate Change Analysis
​Module 5 Topic 5 Revising and Rewriting Revisited Handout
Self-assessment
Lecture Quiz
Module 6
Writing about Tables
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1
Writing about tables and figures
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2
Writing about figures
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3
Formatting tables and figures
Click here for the PowerPoint version.
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​Module 6 Handout.
Practice
Open Table 2. How would you reformat this table?
​Transform this text into a table assignment worksheet
Answer Keys
Compare your ideas to this version of Table 2 reformatted and this version of text to table
​Transform this text into a table sample layout
Reading
Five data storytelling tops to improve your charts and figures
A good example of writing about data
Self-assessment
Module 6 Quiz
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