Writing Matters (2006)

This is a handbook about plain language and how to communicate clearly in writing. In the introductory chapter, the author defines what is meant by "plain language" and discusses the importance of using plain language. Chapter 2 begins with facts about literacy in Canada and includes a short history of the plain language movement. Chapter 3 talks about jargon and how not to write, while Chapter 4 goes over some basic grammar. Chapter 5 broadens the picture to plain language composition and style.

Chapters 6 and 7 are primarily for people writing materials for readers with low literacy levels and speakers for whom English is a second language, while Chapter 8 covers testing and revising. Chapters 9 and 10 talk about making your documents look more readable through effective use of page layout and fonts, and Chapter 11 focuses on proofreading.

This handbook also contains a list of alternative, plainer words, a checklist you can use on your own documents, and finally some examples of plain and not-so-plain language, followed by a large section on useful books and Internet sites.