PRACTICE Do these charts tell a story?
Let’s practice! Look at these charts and think how you might make them better convey the message. In the 4 ways to make charts that tell your story, we briefly …
Tag: for international development
4 ways to make charts that tell your story
How can we make charts that convey our messages and are more than decoration? Here is a brief intro to data visualization and 4 things you can do to make …
Using plain language for better machine translation in the age of AI
More people today can understand content in other languages thanks to machine and AI translation. These translations can be more understandable if you use plain language principles. Today’s machine and …
Can ChatGPT help copyedit a translation?
Can AI chatbots take over scholarly translation? I used ChatGPT to help me copyedit text that it had translated. Conclusion: it’s probably more efficient to hire a professional human translator …
How to use jargon effectively, responsibly, and inclusively
Most of us have heard that jargon is terrible. Is it really so terrible? And is there any way to use jargon well? For those of you who just want …
How to write clearly but diplomatically: Tips for UN and international aid professionals
You can write diplomatically and still use plain language principles. Here are some practical ways. I’ve recapped all the arguments why UN and international aid professionals might want to use …
The 4 powers of clear writing in international development
UN writing isn’t very clear. But clear writing can promote human rights, level power imbalances, and boost transparency and accountability. UN writing doesn’t have a great reputation for clarity. While …
Use Word templates for plain language and accessibility
Want to get more people in your organization to use plain language and inclusive language and follow accessibility practices? Word templates may be your friend. I used to think Word …
BOOK: A Guide to Writing for the United Nations, by W. H. Hindle
W. H. Hindle, a career editor for the UN, wrote a guide on how to write clearly for the organization. Peppered with gems (pointing out the “sonorous polysyllables” with their …
RESOURCES: Plain language for international development
International organizations like the UN aren’t known for clear writing. But there are some guides and examples out there. Writing at the UN and in international development isn’t easy. Writers …