Plain-language writing
​From the beginning of my career, I've always felt strongly that information generated through scientific studies should be shared more broadly so that it gets into the hands of the people who need it.
Kirsten Blokland, PhD
The Writing Editor
What is the role of a plain-language writer?
​Formal academic writing often lacks accessibility for people who are not part of the field to which the author belongs—i.e., laypeople.
To make the information more accessible for laypeople, a plain-language writer "translates" the formal academic content into writing that is more suitable for people who are not experts in the field, so that laypeople, too, can increase their knowledge base and benefit from the information. The process of doing so is often referred to as "Knowledge Translation," or "KT."
Fun fact: Did you know that there are several international organizations dedicated to the promotion of plain language? ​
Member of Plain Language Association International
Process
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Contact form: Submit your form describing the written work you would like re-written as plain language. I will respond via email regarding next steps in our communication process.
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Estimate: Send me the written work to be re-written as plain language and I will provide an estimated cost for preparing it.
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Video call: We will hold a free-of-charge virtual meeting to kick off the project so I can learn how best to support your goals through the plain-language writing I will do for you.
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Agreement form: I will send you the form to sign and return to me.
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Plain-language writing: I will prepare the plain-language document and send it to you.
I have prepared
plain-language writing
for writers from these organizations
Invest in Kids Foundation (Canada)
University of Guelph (Canada)