A Guide to Using Plain Language in Your Writing

By WR!TERS@WORK

Some students may think that exercising their linguistic abilities and maximising the utmost limits of their mental faculties in their writing is the way to tell the examiner that they are smart. However, WRITERS AT WORK students know all too well that understanding the meaning of words and their proper usage is more important than tossing up some haphazard word salad. Without moderation, students risk confusing the examiner instead! WRITERS AT WORK students strive to communicate clearly what they are trying to say. At times, that may involve using plain language instead of complicated, multisyllabic words.

What is Plain Language?

Plain language involves communicating something as quickly and easily as possible. To put it plainly, writing in a manner that is accessible and understandable for most. For example, in ancient China, only scholars could read and write because the traditional form of Mandarin was very complex. It was only until the simplified and vernacular Chinese script was introduced that the masses could read and write as well – people did not need to be of a certain status and intellect to even take part in reading and writing. Similarly, when you write an essay, you need to ensure the message is clear to the examiner.

Plain language has a simple structure – you should keep your sentences short and sweet. The sentence should not run on with endless descriptions – instead, the only details a sentence should include are those the reader needs to understand its meaning. When writing the sentence, the student should ask themselves whether what they are writing is critical information. There is no need to be too verbose in your language and elaborate on everything – sometimes, less is more. This does not mean that you are making yourself sound simple because you think your reader is a simpleton – it means that people should not misunderstand what you write.

What is NOT Plain Language?

Do not use jargon where possible. Jargon is vocabulary which only an insider to the topic will know. If the word is something that only you know the meaning of, and a layman without any experience is not likely to know what it means, you should not use it unless there is a very good reason to. Furthermore, students should not use metaphors and allusions – there is no need to wax poetic when you are supposed to be direct. These metaphors and allusions are merely distractions – they detract from the main point of the essay being understood by the reader. The writer should assume that the reader does not have any background knowledge of the topic.

Moreover, plain language means that the layout of the entire essay should not be confusing. Students should structure their essay in a manner which prioritises clarity. The entire essay should be logical and coherent. Each section, where possible, should focus on one idea – keep one point to one paragraph. Additionally, students should use transition words and sentences (like at the beginning of this sentence) to help move the essay along in a streamlined manner.

How Should Students Write in Plain Language?

Here are some general guidelines for students writing in plain language:

• Use simple vocabulary. There is no need for multisyllabic, bombastic words people will need to Google.
• Use short sentences and break up longer sentences into shorter ones.
• Use transition words at the beginning and end of paragraphs.
• Keep to one point per paragraph.
• Only include relevant details (crucial information to the sentence).
• Write directly to the reader and do not be flowery or verbose.
• Get straight to the point – do not beat around the bush, ramble, or go on tangents.

The context of the essay is still important – do not forget what you are supposed to be writing. You need to determine what the audience needs and what the purpose of the writing is, and then adjust your writing accordingly. If you are writing about certain subjects, especially those involving specific knowledge such as Science, you will need to use jargon. It is inevitable that you will use specific terms the reader may not understand. However, you can still structure your sentences clearly and use transition words which will help the structure of the essay.

Remember – the goal of writing is to communicate our message clearly and succinctly to the reader. WRITERS AT WORK seeks to make students better learners through organisation skills, reflection, and understanding of how we process information. Join us at our tuition centres to be a part of the best English enrichment courses for primary and secondary school students in Singapore.

Master the English Language with WRITERS AT WORK!

English is a compulsory subject which all students must undertake. However, mastering the English language is not something which happens overnight – it takes consistent practice and effort to learn the nuances of the language. Students must read more and practice writing to gradually improve. Cramming for a language subject nearer to the exams is an impossible feat. After all, Rome was not built in a day! Attaining such a skill will have positive implications for not only your child’s education in school, but also employment prospects in future.

At WRITERS@WORK, we are committed to providing the smoothest learning experience for your child sitting for their English exams. With our carefully curated methods of teaching your child how to write well, your child will learn how to present their thoughts and arguments in a coherent and concise manner. W@W reinforces your child’s language skills and provides a strong foundation for their academic success, keeping up with all aspects of their progress both inside and outside of the classroom to nurture them holistically. For more information about how W@W makes a difference, feel free to explore our website and watch our YouTube videos!

If you are interested in our primary English tuition and secondary English tuition in Singapore, WRITERS@WORK has expanded to 9 convenient locations. To find the nearest location that suits your needs, please explore our options. If you have any inquiries regarding our range of programs or class schedules, please feel free to contact WRITERS@WORK!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

1. Is Creative Writing Good for Kids?

Creative writing is good for children as it teaches them how to use their imagination. Children have a vivid imagination and will enjoy coming up with different storylines and characters. Through the use of creative writing, children can express themselves using the English language, which is also good for their emotional development and maturity.

2. What are Good Creative Writing Topics?

A good start is to write about what you know. Students can start by writing about things that are familiar to them, such as school or family. Then, students can move on to more complex topics, requiring them to use their imagination about events which would be unlikely to happen in real life, such as a fairytale or an adventure story. Older students can write descriptive essays about being in a situation or about more abstract concepts, such as regret.

3. How to Begin a Story?

A good story should have just the right amount of exposition to illuminate the setting and the characters for the reader without giving away the entire plot. The story should begin where it is relevant, and the general gist of the situation should be outlined. The writer should know how to move the plot along from where they start easily, and the story should flow logically.

4. What are the Basic Steps in Creative Writing?

A good first step would be to plan out the story – it is important that the story follows a Plot Curve which has a logical sequence of events and a clear conclusion. The main and supporting characters should be clear – there should not be a whole village of characters – just enough to further the plot. Moreover, the central conflict of the story should be clear.