How Bureaucratic Jargon Can Cost Lives

When you think of models of clear writing and easy communication, do you think of the Federal Government? It turns out one of the leading perpetrators of the bureaucratic lingo and dense legalese that most people detest has been quietly cleaning up its act for the past 10 years.

Guests, Katherine Spivey and Katina Rae Stapleton, are federal employees who volunteer their time and expertise to help their colleagues across multiple agencies and offices create government documents and other written resources in plain language. Guided by the Plain Writing Act of 2010, they work to improve U.S. citizens’ ability to access and understand government information and services.

In this episode, we talk with them about the importance of clear communications, from everyday interactions that help make policy more understandable, to more urgent situations where words can have life-and-death consequences.

GUESTS Katherine Spivey and Katina Rae Stapleton Co-Chairs, Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN)

Katherine Spivey is co-chair of the Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN), which is a community of federal employees who volunteer time and expertise to support the use of clear communication in government writing. She is a senior communications specialist for the U.S. General Services Administration’s Office of Strategic Communications and coordinates the agency’s plain language program. She also teaches plain language courses for DigitalGov University and other federal agencies. 

Katina Rae Stapleton is co-chair of the Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN), where she also provides training for federal employees on how to clearly communicate with their audiences. As a program officer with the Institute of Education Services (IES) at the U.S. Department of Education, Katina oversees research training programs and provides guidance to the department on communications, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility issues. She is the co-chair of the IES Diversity Council and was secretary of the agency-wide Diversity and Inclusion Council.  

LINKS:
PlainLanguage.gov
Law - https://www.plainlanguage.gov/law/
Guidelines - https://www.plainlanguage.gov/guidelines/
History/Timeline - https://www.plainlanguage.gov/about/history/
Digital.gov presence - https://digital.gov/communities/plain-language/
Center for Plain Language's Federal Report Card - https://centerforplainlanguage.org/reports/
Clarity International - https://www.clarity-international.org/
Plain International - https://plainlanguagenetwork.org/
Alan Alda – Clear + Vivid podcast, https://omny.fm/shows/clear-vivid-with-alan-alda
Scientific American Frontiers TV show https://www.amazon.com/Scientific-American-Frontiers/dp/B000H0SVZO
WIRED – 5 Levels https://www.wired.com/video/series/5-levels

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