Plain Language in Government Writing

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Part VII

The President

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Memorandum of June 1, 1998--Plain Language in Government Writing

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Title 3--
The President

Memorandum of June 1, 1998

Plain Language in Government Writing

Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and
Agencies

The Vice President and I have made reinventing the
Federal Government a top priority of my Administration.
We are determined to make the Government more
responsive, accessible, and understandable in its
communications with the public.

The Federal Government's writing must be in plain
language. By using plain language, we send a clear
message about what the Government is doing, what it
requires, and what services it offers. Plain language
saves the Government and the private sector time,
effort, and money.

Plain language requirements vary from one document to
another, depending on the intended audience. Plain
language documents have logical organization, easy-to-
read design features, and use:

common, everyday words, except for necessary
technical terms;
``you'' and other pronouns;
the active voice; and
short sentences.

To ensure the use of plain language, I direct you to do
the following:

By October 1, 1998, use plain language in
all new documents, other than regulations, that
explain how to obtain a benefit or service or how
to comply with a requirement you administer or
enforce. For example, these documents may include
letters, forms, notices, and instructions. By
January 1, 2002, all such documents created prior
to October 1, 1998, must also be in plain language.
By January 1, 1999, use plain language in
all proposed and final rulemaking documents
published in the Federal Register, unless you
proposed the rule before that date. You should
consider rewriting existing regulations in plain
language when you have the opportunity and
resources to do so.

The National Partnership for Reinventing Government
will issue guidance to help you comply with these
directives and to explain more fully the elements of
plain language. You should also use customer feedback
and common sense to guide your plain language efforts.

I ask the independent agencies to comply with these
directives.

This memorandum does not confer any right or benefit
enforceable by law against the United States or its
representatives. The Director of the Office

of Management and Budget will publish this memorandum
in the Federal Register.

THE WHITE HOUSE,

Washington, June 1, 1998.