SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Society Guardian | Bureaucratic jargon:
"To write effectively, we need to know three things: why we are writing it; what we want to happen as a result of our writing; and who we are writing for. If the target audience includes the public then this means using shorter sentences (average about 15-20 words), shorter words and avoiding jargon. So don't write in plain English henceforth - write in plain English from now on."

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SocietyGuardian.co.uk | Society | English Kiss: Keep It Short and Simple

There is no shortage of helpful advice to authors. My book, The Plain English Guide (OUP, 1995) distils it into 20 guidelines. To summarise them:

· Use appropriate language - not too pompous, not too colloquial.

· Write sentences of reasonable length - 15-20 words on average.

· Favour active-voice verbs.

· Don't smother verbs beneath noun phrases: so 'We prepared...' not 'The preparation was undertaken by us...'

· Use personal reference words.

· Use a main heading. In long letters, use subheadings too.

· Use vertical lists to split up complex information.

· Use a top-heavy triangle structure, giving the big news early in each section. Alternatively, use chronological order if this will help the reader.

· Use tables, charts and graphs to help the reader understand.

· Reread your letter before it goes out. Revise it. Then revise it again. You don't have time, but you have to make it.

· If you've an important writing job to do, arrange your environment to suit you. This might mean booking a writing room in the office, or working at home.

Finally, remember the words of Lord Denning, the leading judge, in the 1980s: "It is better to be clear and brief than to go drivelling on."

· Martin Cutts is research director of Plain Language Commission