# Plain English

> Use when writing or editing prose, documentation, policies, user-facing content, or any text that should be clear and accessible. Triggers include verbose drafts, jargon-heavy text, readability complaints, or requests to simplify writing.

- **Type:** Skill
- **Install:** `agentstack add skill-joelio-plain-english-plain-english`
- **Verified:** Yes — security-reviewed for prompt injection and unsafe behavior
- **Seller:** [joelio](https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/joelio)
- **Installs:** 0
- **Category:** [Agent Skills](https://agentstack.voostack.com/c/agent-skills)
- **Latest version:** 0.1.0
- **License:** MIT
- **Upstream author:** [joelio](https://github.com/joelio)
- **Source:** https://github.com/joelio/plain-english/tree/main/skills/plain-english

## Install

```sh
agentstack add skill-joelio-plain-english-plain-english
```

Requires the [AgentStack CLI](https://agentstack.voostack.com/docs/cli). Works with Claude Code, Cursor, and any MCP-compatible agent.

## About

# Plain English

Write so your reader understands the first time they read it.

## Core Rules

### Sentences
- Average 15-20 words. Hard ceiling: 25 words.
- One idea per sentence. Break at natural clause boundaries.
- Vary length to avoid monotony — but never exceed the ceiling.

### Words
Prefer short, concrete, everyday words over formal or Latin-derived alternatives.

| Instead of | Use |
|---|---|
| utilise | use |
| commence | start, begin |
| terminate | end, stop |
| purchase | buy |
| ascertain | find out |
| endeavour | try |
| facilitate | help |
| approximately | about |
| in the event that | if |
| prior to | before |
| subsequent to | after |
| in accordance with | under, following |
| notwithstanding | despite, even though |
| pursuant to | under |
| in respect of | about, for |
| additional | more, extra |
| sufficient | enough |
| regarding | about |
| assist | help |
| advise | tell |
| obtain | get |
| require | need |
| demonstrate | show |
| indicate | show, say |
| forward | send |
| in order to | to |
| due to the fact that | because |
| at this point in time | now |
| it should be noted that | (delete) |
| please find enclosed | here is |
| I am writing to inform you | (just say it) |

### Voice
- Use active voice ~80% of the time: "The council revoked the licence" not "The licence was revoked by the council."
- Passive is fine when the actor is unknown, unimportant, or when tact requires it.

### Structure
- Front-load: put the main point first — inverted pyramid.
- One idea per paragraph. Max 3-5 sentences per paragraph.
- Use headings that answer reader questions: "How to appeal a parking ticket" not "Appeals — general."
- Use bullet points for 3+ items. Start each bullet with the same grammatical form.
- Address the reader as "you." Use "we" for the organisation.

### Kill These Patterns

**Nominalisations** — verbs turned into nouns:
- "make a decision" -> "decide"
- "conduct an investigation" -> "investigate"
- "provide assistance" -> "help"
- "give consideration to" -> "consider"

**Hidden verbs:**
- "conduct a review" -> "review"
- "carry out an assessment" -> "assess"
- "make an application" -> "apply"

**Hedging piles:**
- "may possibly be able to" -> "may"
- "it is recommended that consideration be given to" -> "we recommend"

**Double negatives:**
- "not uncommon" -> "common"
- "not dissimilar" -> "similar"
- "did not fail to" -> "did"

**Redundancies:**
- "absolutely essential" -> "essential"
- "completely finished" -> "finished"
- "future plans" -> "plans"
- "past history" -> "history"

**Noun strings** — break with prepositions:
- "school bus routing optimisation strategy" -> "strategy to optimise school-bus routes"

## Readability Targets

| Metric | Target |
|---|---|
| Flesch Reading Ease | 60-70 (general public) |
| Flesch-Kincaid Grade | 8 or below |
| GOV.UK target | reading age 9-11 |

Tools: Hemingway Editor, MS Word readability stats, readable.com.

## Legal/Formal Distinctions (GOV.UK)

- **must** = legal requirement, serious consequences
- **need to** = administrative requirement, no criminal repercussions
- **should** = recommendation
- Avoid "shall" — it's ambiguous. Use "must" or "will."

## Before/After Examples

**Before:** "Prior to the commencement of operations, an assessment of environmental impact shall be undertaken by the relevant authority."

**After:** "Before operations start, the authority will assess the environmental impact."

**Before:** "It has been brought to our attention by members of staff that the new policy is causing confusion regarding the implementation of the revised procedures."

**After:** "Staff say the new policy is confusing."

**Before:** "Should you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us."

**After:** "Contact us if you need help."

## Quick Checklist

- Average sentence 15-20 words, none over 25?
- 80%+ active voice?
- Everyday words — no jargon without explanation?
- Flesch Reading Ease 60+?
- Headings answer reader questions?
- One idea per paragraph?
- Lists for 3+ items?
- Reader addressed as "you"?

## Authoritative Sources

- Plain English Campaign — plainenglish.co.uk
- GOV.UK Content Design Guide
- US Federal Plain Language Guidelines (Plain Writing Act 2010)
- ISO 24495-1:2023 Plain language
- Martin Cutts, *Oxford Guide to Plain English*, 5th ed.

## Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

- **Author:** [joelio](https://github.com/joelio)
- **Source:** [joelio/plain-english](https://github.com/joelio/plain-english)
- **License:** MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.

## Pricing

- **Free** — Free

## Security capabilities

Automated source analysis of v0.1.0 — what this tool can access:

- **Network access:** no
- **Filesystem access:** no
- **Shell / process execution:** no
- **Environment & secrets:** no
- **Dynamic code execution:** no

*"Yes" means the capability is present in the source — more access means more to trust, not that it is unsafe.*


## Versions

- **0.1.0** — security scan: passed — Imported from the upstream source.

## Links

- Listing page: https://agentstack.voostack.com/l/skill-joelio-plain-english-plain-english
- Seller: https://agentstack.voostack.com/s/joelio
- Browse the marketplace: https://agentstack.voostack.com/browse

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