Plain English Week: demand plain English!

14-18 September 2009 is plainly a great week to draw the world's attention to plain English.

On Friday, it's the WriteMark New Zealand Plain English Awards—always a brilliant occasion.

Alice and I will provide four prizes. The winners of the following four categories will get access for one staff member to our brand new Contented Diploma in Web Content:

• Best Plain English Website—Public Sector/Non-Government Organisation
• Best Plain English Website—Private Sector
• People’s Choice—best Plain English Website
• People’s Choice—‘Brainstrain’ Website

All through Plain English Week, remember this:
It's not your fault if you don't get it: tell the writer!

• Say the magic words, "What do you mean?"
• If you are given a confusing document to read, ask for a plain English translation.