Plain Language Tools: Write with Community in Mind

Explore plain language tools, training, and resources from the Service Design Studio

At the Service Design Studio, we work to make public services more accessible, effective, and dignified for New Yorkers. One way we expand access for New Yorkers is by using plain language. Plain language is communication that your audience can understand the first time they read or hear it.

[embed]What is Plain Language? Watch our 101 video to learn what plain language is and why it matters.

In government, the words we choose can shape someone’s entire experience. By writing in plain language, you can:

• Help your team spend less time answering the same questions.
• Help New Yorkers complete forms correctly on the first try.
• Allow you to reach more New Yorkers with the same effort.
• And more . . .

Ready to implement Plain Language into your work? We’ve curated our favorite tools, training, and resources to help City Employees like you practice today…

Learn with our ‘How to’ Plain Language Video

[embed]Ready to level up your plain language writing skills? We created this 15 minute interactive training video for NYC City Employees. Grab a pencil and paper, and get ready to practice!

• We’ve packed our best Plain Language tips into a digital training for you! This video was made for NYC City Employees to learn how to write in Plain Language. Grab a pen and pencil, and use the video linked above to start practicing today! **👉 Watch our new “How to” Plain Language Training Video **(8 minutes)
• Want to dive even deeper into plain language techniques? Watch Jack Ding, the Assistant Director of User Experience at NYC Opportunity, run through best practices and examples. This extended video is a 25 minute video from our 2023 Civic Design Forum series. **👉 Watch our extended Plain Language 101 tutorial **(25 minutes)

Download & Print the Plain Language Process Guide

Bring plain language tips to your cube! Download and print our handy Checklist which includes quick tips and tricks, and an example of plain language writing.

**✪ Download the Plain Language Process Guide here**

Subscribe to the Plain Language Newsletter

Sign up for our Plain Language Newsletter! Want to keep in touch with plain language practices, our quarterly newsletter includes plain language resources, practice exercises, pop quizzes, trivia, and more!

**👉 Sign up for the Plain Language Newsletter**

**👉 Explore old editions of the Plain Language Newsletter**

Sign up for the Plain Language Design Forum

Want to level up your plain language skills? Join the Service Design Studio for an in-person training on plain language! Coming in 2026.

**👉 Sign up for the Plain Language Design Forum interest form**

Other Plain Language Resources

• Plainglanguage.gov — Want more training? Find training videos, resources, and so much more on this site.
• Office of Technology (OTI) NYC.gov Digital Design System plain language content standards.
• hemingwayapp.com — Get quick feedback on your writing. Hemingway App highlights lengthy, complex sentences, and common errors.
• color.adobe.com/create/color-contrast-analyzer — Check the color contrast accessibility of your design.
• Request a Plain Language Workshop for your team *— from NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services*

This post was published by the Service Design Studio in the Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity. The Studio works to make city services more effective, accessible, and dignified for low-income New Yorkers.