Writing You Can Understand
At TTB, we are committed to writing all of our new and substantially revised documents and public Web content in plain language by October 2011.
We'll use plain language in any document that:
- Is used to obtain any of our benefits or services, or for filing taxes;
- Provides information about any of our benefits or services; or
- Explains how to comply with a requirement that we administer or enforce
Plain Writing Act of 2010
The Plain Writing Act of 2010 (PDF, 125 KB, 3 pages, October 2010) requires all federal agencies to write "clear government communication that the public can understand and use." President Obama also emphasized the importance of establishing "a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration" in his January 21, 2009 Memorandum on Transparency and Open Government
The Act applies to letters, publications, forms, notices, and instructions, but does not apply to regulations. Two other executive orders (E.O. 12866 and E.O. 12988) cover the use of plain language in regulations.
Help Us
We're training our employees and have strengthened our oversight process. You can help us to meet our plain language goals by letting us know when we fall short. We have assigned staff to oversee our plain language efforts:
- Contact TTB's senior agency official for plain language at TTBWebmaster@ttb.gov.
- Contact TTB's plain language program coordinator at TTBWebmaster@ttb.gov.
Plain Language Resources
TTB Progress Reports
We have to report on our compliance with the Plain Writing Act. We'll post that annual report and our progress statements here.Other Resources
Federal Plain Language Guidelines
Apply these OMB–approved guidelines to your writing.
National Institute of Health (NIH): The Plain Language Initiative
Use these resources to achieve the goal of plain language in your writing.
NIH Plain Language Online Training
Browse these online training modules to learn the basics of plain language.
PLAIN, the Plain Language Action and Information Network
PLAIN promotes the use of plain language for all government communications.