News Jaya

How not to report in plain English

The Plain English awards are on at the moment. Each year, organisations and members of the public are invited to submit documents and websites that they think are outstanding examples of plain English — or of gobbledygook.

Entries closed yesterday. It’s a shame really, as I could have entered the Ministry of Education’s website which advises how to report to school students in plain language on the National Standards.

2. Plain language reporting
It’s a good idea to have any explanatory sheets read by a parent to check they are clear and easy to understand. any explanatory sheets read by a parent to check they are clear and easy to understand.

And this - after the site was amended. It’s not the only error on the page, either. It’s probably a good idea for the Ministry of Education to have its websites read by someone to check for repetition.