Plain language vs Easy Read. What’s the difference?

Have you ever wondered what makes Plain Language different from Easy Read?

Both writing styles help people understand information, but they serve different audiences. Let’s break it down.

It’s important for organisations to publish strategy documents in both formats so that people can choose the format that’s accessible to them. Timely access to information in alternative formats is a human right for people with disability.

What is Plain Language?

Plain Language is clear, informal writing designed for anyone with a Year 8 reading level or above. It’s used for the everyday reader, to make information easy to understand.

1. We avoid jargon and write as we would speak.

2. The focus is on clarity and simplicity.

3. Documents follow a logical structure, with the most important information first.

What is Easy Read?

Easy Read is for people who have significant difficulty reading or understanding written text.

This includes:

• People with learning disabilities, such as Dyslexia

• People with intellectual disabilities

• People from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds who are new to written English

• Older people with cognitive decline, attention, or memory difficulties (such as Dementia)

• Neurodivergent people who process information differently

What’s the Same?

Both styles:

• Use inclusive language, like “we” and “you”

• Use active voice (“We wrote this guide” instead of “This guide was written”)

• Present information in a logical order, with most important information first

What’s Different?

Easy Read:

• Has lots of white space between very short sentences

• Only includes key information—documents should be no longer than 15-20 pages

• Avoids complex punctuation

• Uses images to support the text

• Is often designed to be read with a support person

Plain Language:

• Uses longer sentences and paragraphs

• Keeps all details in

• Uses standard punctuation

• Does not rely on images

  
  

Easy Read must use pictures because readers may not have capacity to access text alone. Plain language isn’t held to these rules, but visual information is encouraged for all written information.

Want to learn more? Get expert training on Easy Read here:

www.embraceaccess.com.au/easy-read-training

Book in for training