@carolinavonkampen.comWhen using plain language principles to edit for global audiences, we consider the intended readers and adjusting our edits and queries to help them find, understand, and use the information.
The hardest part may be recognizing our own ingrained worldviews!
@carolinavonkampen.comBe careful how you use symbols, icons, and colors, as they may be understood differently in different parts of the world.
Symbols, icons, and color can be helpful but make sure the readers can understand the meaning in other ways (for example, label the icons with text).
@carolinavonkampen.comDon’t rely on colors alone to convey meaning. 🎨
Color can help some readers, but people who are colorblind or reading in B&W may not be able to understand and use that info. Make that information accessible in other ways as well, such as with text labels.
@carolinavonkampen.comInclude alt text for images. 🖼️
Add alt text. It improves accessibility for people using screen readers as well as for those who have low internet bandwidth.
@carolinavonkampen.comKeep the subject and verb close 👯♀️
Readers can better follow the sentence when the subject is kept close to the verb.
Consider splitting the sentence if needed. (Sentences: 15-20 words on average.)
@carolinavonkampen.comBe clear: Who is doing what?
Make it clear who does what (by when), so readers can easily understand what part is relevant for them.
Favor the active voice (if appropriate). Use “you” and “we.”
@carolinavonkampen.comUse geographically inclusive language.
Give the specific dates, months, year. The seasons are different northern vs. southern hemisphere. Some regions don't have 4 seasons.
Relative times/dates (“this year”, “this fall” etc.) will become obsolete or out of context quickly.
@carolinavonkampen.comWrite out the date. Different countries express dates differently.
For example: 8/10/26
Is this August 10 or October 8, 2026? Or October 26, 2008? 🤔
@carolinavonkampen.comBe time-zone inclusive 🌎
Add the time zone name and the UTC offset to help readers who are not familiar with US time zones. It will also avoid confusion over daylight savings.
@carolinavonkampen.comAvoid cultural references, like "don't be a Karen" or references to songs, films, TV shows, etc.
Your intended readers may not be familiar with this. Consider expressing differently or explaining (in a footnote?).
@carolinavonkampen.comAvoid jargon. Use technical terms carefully (make sure your audience knows it).
Jargon is difficult for readers to understand. Please replace with a more concrete word.
How does using this technical term help the intended reader?
@carolinavonkampen.comAvoid unfamiliar or irrelevant terms.
Examples:
BIPOC, “person of color”
POTUS
DMV
March Madness
These terms may not be familiar to/relevant for your intended readers in other parts of the world. Use a different word or spell it out and consider including a brief description.
@carolinavonkampen.comThe "tomatoes in your eyes" one is a German idiom!
🍅 "Tomaten auf den Augen haben." www.omniglot.com/language/art...
If you were confused about what that meant...exactly lol
@carolinavonkampen.comAvoid figures of speech that your intended global readers may not be familiar with.
Example:
🪑 We will table the topic.
🐘 Address the elephant in the room.
🍅 Do you have tomatoes on your eyes?
Avoiding figures of speech also ensures that the message is translated correctly.
@carolinavonkampen.comBe selective of what to include.
Does your intended reader truly need this information at this point? Including it may be distracting and make it harder for your reader to find, understand, and use the information.
@carolinavonkampen.comWrite informative headings!
Concise, accurate headings help readers quickly find and use the information.
Make the heading into a statement so it helps the reader understand the content.
@carolinavonkampen.comPut the important information where readers can easily find it (at the beginning or where they expect to find it).
For instructions, present steps chronologically.
@carolinavonkampen.comOrganize info for the reader:
✅ Organizing and breaking up the content helps readers find and understand what they need more quickly.
✅ Group together related or similar content (paragraphs, sections).
✅ Add headings.
@carolinavonkampen.comNow the fun part! Examples of issues that may affect “global” readers. 👀
Use the structure that intended readers expect or are familiar with or that helps them find, understand and use the info.
Examples: IMRAD/hamburger for scholarly, reverse pyramid for news, FAQ format.
@carolinavonkampen.comHow to use plain language principles for #editing
✔️ Ask yourself: How will this edit help the intended reader?
✔️ Comment on wording, structure, and design
✔️ Frame the query in terms of relevance, findability, understandability, and usability