Everyday writing
Rewrite an announcement in plain language
Many announcements explain the decision before telling people what changes for them. A plain-language rewrite reverses that order: who is affected, what is different, what to do, and who to ask.
A text to start with
Rewrite this announcement in plain language. Paste the original text. The audience is [who will read it, e.g. all staff, customers, members]. Keep any specific dates, names, or required terms that can't be simplified. Lead with who's affected and what changes. End with one action and a contact. Don't add information that isn't in the original.
Example request. Change the details to fit your situation.What to check in the draft
Compare every date, name, figure, and required term in the draft with the original. A rewrite can drop a date or change a term that has a precise meaning in context. If the original contains legal, regulatory, or contractual language, check the rewrite against the source document before it goes out, since simplifying can change the meaning. An action item that isn't in the original shouldn't appear in the draft.
After you review the draft
Ask someone unfamiliar with the topic to read the draft and tell you what they think they need to do. If their answer doesn't match the intended action, revise that sentence. For anything involving policy, a contract, or legal obligations, have the responsible person review the plain-language version before it is distributed.