From Prof Joe Kimble's analysis of research _

Pay attention to document design — the typeface, length of line, white space, and so on.

Use short sections, or subdivide longer ones.

Use lots of headings. In public documents, try putting the main headings in the form of a question.

Group related ideas together, and order the parts in a logical sequence.

At the beginning of most documents, have an executive summary (for memos and judicial opinions) or a purpose statement (for legislation) or a table of contents (for manuals and long contracts).

Don't hesitate to use examples, tables, and charts.

Eliminate unnecessary words and details.

Break up long sentences.

Don't put too much information before or between the main subject, verb, and object.

Prefer the active voice.

Put the the central action in verbs, not in abstract nouns.

Use a vertical list — at the end of the sentence — for multiple conditions, consequences, or rules.

Try to address the reader as "you" in public documents.

Give shall the boot; use must instead.

Use familiar words — the ones that are simple and direct and human.

Impact Information: Your One-Stop Source for Plain Language Services:

Bill DuBay's Plain Language Services has a really neat resources/links page