(…)
Several books were written to encourage the use of Plain English. Among the most representative, we can highlight:
- Legal Writing: Sense and Nonsense, 1982, David Melinkoff
- The Fundamentals of Legal Drafting, 1986, Reed Dickerson
- A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage, 1987, Bryan A. Garner
The most important general recommendations that we can take away from this literature are:
- Use the greatest clarity possible;
- Use examples;
- Use easily readable font sizes;
- Leave enough space in the margins;
- Use tables and diagrams;
- Divide the document into sections;
- Place related paragraphs close to each other;
- Sort the content in a logical sequence: the general before the specific, and the ordinary before the extraordinary;
- Omit unnecessary details;
- Include a summary in the first paragraph;
- Assign one idea to each paragraph;
- Use connectors;
- Use short sentences, not more than 25 words;
- Put the subject at the beginning of the sentence and near the verb;
- Preferably use the active voice;
- Use familiar words;
- Avoid repetitions;
- In technical documents for the public, explain specialized terms whose use is unavoidable;
- Prevent abuse of negative constructions;
- Always use the same term to refer to the same concept.
Source: http://translation-blog.trustedtranslations.com/plain-english-movement-around-the-world-2011-12-05.html
