Plain Writing for Grants Professionals-Video Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The webinar, hosted by NGMA and sponsored by Crow, focused on the importance and techniques of plain writing for grant professionals. Heather Murphy-Capps from Graduate School USA led the session, explaining that plain writing—also called plain English or plain language—is clear, concise, and conversational professional writing aimed at ensuring audiences understand content on first read. She traced the history of plain language, highlighting its roots in early 20th-century writing movements and culminating in the 2010 Plain Writing Act, which mandates clear communication from federal agencies.<br /><br />Heather emphasized that plain writing is crucial for efficiency, trustworthiness, and reducing misunderstandings in grant management and other professional communication. Key guidelines include writing for the audience, organizing information with main ideas first, using familiar and concrete words, keeping language conversational and active, and designing documents for easy reading with headings and lists.<br /><br />Interactive polls helped reinforce concepts like sentence structure and clarity. Heather also addressed audience questions about applying plain language to legal documents, balancing detailed legal jargon with accessibility, and the benefits of tools like Grammarly. The session underscored that plain writing is a vital skill for all professionals to enhance communication, save time, and build trust. Additional writing courses are offered by Graduate School USA for those seeking to improve their writing craft.

Keywords

plain writing

grant professionals

Heather Murphy-Capps

Graduate School USA

Plain Writing Act 2010

clear communication

professional writing techniques

legal documents clarity

writing courses