What this means
Using plain language means not adding more to that intrinsic load by using unnecessarily complicated writing. Of course, you will introduce or reinforce discipline-specific ideas and terminology for students. That will demand enough of their cognitive load. If you can present your ideas in simpler language, students will absorb them more easily.
Why this matters
Plain language is not a skill per se, such as adding alternative text to an image or captions to a video, but it is a step toward creating an accessible learning experience. Using plain language and formatting will benefit neurodivergent learners and those whose native language is not English. Similarly, your font and formatting choices can affect readers with cognitive or visual impairments.
General tips
- Be conversational in your syllabus and assignment instructions. Use the first and second person; say “I will” and “You will,” rather than “The instructor will” and “the student will.” This direct speech removes a layer of complexity from your writing and helps create a more personal connection with your students.
- Use the active voice: Rather than saying “Exams will be returned by the instructor within 48 hours,” state, “I will return your exams within 48 hours.”
- Choose simpler words instead of more complex ones. For example, must students “utilize” a particular technique, or can they “use” it?
Accessible layout
Large amounts of text can be difficult for any user to process, but especially those with visual or cognitive impairments. Moreover, what might not look like a large block of text on your 24-inch monitor might appear so on a student’s smaller laptop screen or smartphone.
Look for ways to break up those "walls" of text:
- If you can divide the content easily into sections, break those sections into separate pages.
- Use correctly formatted headings, lists and tables in your content to break up longer passages and provide cueing.
- Add appropriate images (with alternative text, of course).
- Consider working with Mizzou Online to use templates and graphic organizers that will break up content and provide cues for students.
Accessible fonts and typography
Your font choices can also help — or hinder — your reader’s ability to scan and process information.
Sans-serif typefaces are fonts without small lines at the end of characters. Examples include the following:
- Arial
- Verdana
- Calibri
- Tahoma
- Helvetica
- Century Gothic
Serif fonts have little decorative lines that some people might find difficult to read. Serif fonts can also create problems in scanned prints, as pixelation can cause distortion and blurring. The most commonly used serif font is Times New Roman; Georgia is another common serif typeface.
Elaborate fonts, such as those that resemble cursive handwriting, can be difficult to read if the shape and size of the characters are not well defined.
Additional guidance for accessible typography includes:
- Use just one or two font types per page.
- Because English and other Western languages are read from left to right, most English readers prefer to have alignment (justification) on the left and a “ragged edge” (i.e., an uneven alignment of text) on the right. Avoid completely justifying text, as this creates spaces between words (”rivers”) that make the text more difficult to read.
- The recommended minimum font size is 12 points.
- Use bold or italics (sparingly) to add emphasis to text. Avoid UPPERCASE (because it is difficult for the eye to scan) and underlining (because underlined text can be mistaken for a hyperlink).
Learn more
- PlainLanguage.gov.
- Writing Clearly and Simply. WebAIM.
- Make It Plain. Web Strategy, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin.
- Acton, K. (14 January 2021). On Plain Language. Critical Design Lab.
- Several of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) guidelines emphasize the use of plain language. See the following from CAST.org:
Related sprints
Follow these links to enroll in our self-paced mini-courses: