History of Plain Language in the United States

While there had been earlier efforts within the US government to spread the use of plain language, it wasn't until the mid-1990s that the movement started to find support.

In 1995 a group of federal employees began meeting to try to spread the use of plain language. This group remains at the center of the movement in the United States. Now called PLAIN—the Plain Language Action and Information Network—we created this website to help others learn about and use plain language.

In A History of Plain Language in the United States Government, Joanne Locke presents an overview of the milestones in the use of plain language from the end of World War II to the present. She outlines the efforts of various agencies in the federal government.

Beth Mazur, in her May 2000 Technical Communication article Revisiting Plain Language, looks at the origins of plain language, addresses some of the concerns and criticisms leveled against its use, and encourages information designers to employ its principles.