One DSD

Training, communication, and strategic communications

Division learning, internal and external communication, and plain-language practice.

One DSD

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Equity entry points

Plain language and accessible documents by default
Language access in every channel
Learning that is voluntary and private

Fictional writing example

Make the next action easy to find

Compare two versions of a made-up workshop notice. The revision keeps the choices, reply date and offer of support while changing how a reader finds them.

First draft

In order to facilitate the finalization of arrangements for the forthcoming workshop, participants are requested to communicate their preferred session (morning or afternoon) to the workshop team by October 18. Requests for language or access support may be included with the reply. The team can answer questions.

Revised draft

Choose a workshop time. Reply by October 18.

Tell the workshop team whether you prefer morning or afternoon.
You can ask for language or access support when you reply.

Ask the workshop team if you have questions.

Three moves to try

Put the action first. The heading gives the choice and reply date before the background.
Use familiar words. “Tell the team” replaces “communicate their preferred session.”
Separate the ideas. The choice, support and questions each have room to be read.

The highlighted phrases are also underlined. Both drafts and the explanation remain available with highlighting turned off.

What does this sample still need before someone could use it?A working way to contact the workshop team.A more formal heading.An explanation of the team's internal scheduling process.

Try it with one sentence you use

Rewrite the action first. Keep the original facts and any required wording. Ask a colleague to point to what to do, when to do it and how to get help. Use what they find to revise the draft.