I gave this talk at Confab Higher Ed 2013. In higher ed, it's easy to assume we have an educated audience and we don't need to spend a lot of time worrying about whether we're clear. But it's easy to be misunderstood -- we don't have the same context as our audience.

1. http://www.flickr.com/photos/nrbelex/
Being
Understood
Why Higher Ed
Needs Plain Language
@lauracreekmore

2. “No one will miss you.”

3. “No one will miss you.”
“Thanks a LOT, Mom!”

4. http://www.flickr.com/photos/expertinfantry/
Authority

5. http://www.flickr.com/photos/alinasofia/

6. http://www.flickr.com/photos/68069913@N02/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/50390668@N04/

7. http://www.flickr.com/photos/ben_grey/

8. Photo by http://www.flickr.com/photos/rhysasplundh/
43%

9. Find the time a TV program ends,
using a newspaper TV schedule
that lists similar programs
showing at different times
on different channels.
Source: National Assessment of Adult Literacy

10. List two facts from
a business magazine article that
explain why a marketer quoted
has a particular opinion.
Source: National Assessment of Adult Literacy

11. Find the age range when children
should get a particular vaccine,
using a chart that shows
all childhood vaccines
and the ages children
should receive them.
Source: National Assessment of Adult Literacy

12. Follow directions,
using a clearly labeled map.
Source: National Assessment of Adult Literacy

15. Health
Literacy

16. Health Literacy of U.S. Adults
Source: U.S.Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences,National Center for Education Statistics, 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy.

17. http://www.flickr.com/photos/v1ctor/
Yes

30. http://www.flickr.com/photos/nrbelex/
Handling
Jargon

31. Testing
Content
http://www.flickr.com/photos/albertogp123/

32. Loans
Students apply for consideration for __________ Direct Loans, Federal
Perkins Loans, __________ UA institutional loans by completing
__________ FAFSA.
A Federal Direct Subsidized __________ Loan is awarded on the
__________ of the student's financial need __________ other specific
eligibility requirements. The __________ government does not charge
interest __________ these loans while borrowers are __________ at least
half-time, during a __________ grace period, or during authorized
__________ of deferment.
The interest subsidy __________ during the six-month grace period
__________ subsidized loans is eliminated for __________ loans made
between July 1, 2012 and ___________. Loan repayment still begins six
__________ after you are no longer __________ at least half-time, but
interest __________ accrues during those six months __________ no
longer be subsidized by __________ federal government. The student will
__________ responsible for the interest during __________ grace period.

33. w
Loans
Students apply for consideration for __________ Direct Loans, Federal
Federal
Perkins Loans, __________ UA institutional loans by completing
and
the
__________ FAFSA.
A Federal Direct Subsidized __________ Loan is awarded on the
Stafford
__________ of the student's financial need __________ other specific
basis
and
eligibility requirements. The __________ government does not charge
federal
interest __________ these loans while borrowers are __________ at least
on
enrolled
half-time, during asix-monthgrace period, or during authorized periods
__________
____
______ of deferment.
offered
The interest subsidy __________ during the six-month grace period
__________ subsidized loans is eliminated for __________ loans made
on
new
between July 1, 2012 andJuly 1, 2014 Loan repayment still begins six
___________.
__________ after you are no longer __________ at least half-time, but
months
enrolled
interest __________ accrues during those six months __________ no
that
will
longer be subsidized by __________ federal government. The student will
the
__________ responsible for the interest during __________ grace period.
be
the

34. Cloze test
Grade-level testing
Reading ease scales

35. http://www.flickr.com/photos/salilwadhavkar/

37. Make a checklist

38. Language and Writing Style
Use simple words.
Define complex terms.
Use sentences of 10-15 words.
Use bullet lists when appropriate.
Use active voice, vivid verbs.
Use consistent terms.
Use positive perspective when possible.
Source: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/etr.html

39. Great
Writing

40. Select preferred terms

41. Search
Analytics

43. Content testing
http://alistapart.com/article/testing-content
http://www.nngroup.com/articles/cloze-test-reading-comprehension/
Make your website more readable
http://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/making-your-website-senior-friendly
http://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Outreach/WrittenMaterialsToolkit/
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/etr.html
Books

44. Laura Creekmore
h"p://creekcontent.com
laura@creekcontent.com
@lauracreekmore
h"p://slideshare.net/lauracreekmore