# plain-language

> Claude/Codex skill by [@surendranb](https://omgskills.com/library/surendranb/index.md) · 50 stars · Updated 2026-09-02

Write in plain language per the US Plain Writing Act of 2010 and the Plain Language Action Network. Use when the user wants clearer, simpler, shorter writing; wants to improve readability; writes public-facing or government-style content; or asks to "plain English" or "simplify" a draft.

Tags: agent-skills, ai-agents, claude-code-plugin, codex, gemini-cli-extension, skills, writing

## Install

```sh
git clone https://github.com/surendranb/writing-skills /tmp/writing-skills && ln -s /tmp/writing-skills/skills/plain-language ~/.claude/skills/plain-language
```

## From README

Plain Language Clear, direct, useful. The reader gets it on one read. The core rule Write so your reader can find, understand, and use what they need on the first read. Plain language is not dumbing down — it is removing obstacles: wordiness, passive construction, jargon, and buried logic. Workflow: decide who the reader is and what they must do → front-load the key point → cut every word that is not doing work → run the verification checklist. Mechanics Front-load the point. First sentence states the purpose, conclusion, or action. No throat-clearing. Short sentences. Average 15–20 words; hard cap 25. One idea per sentence. Active voice. Subject acts: "The team shipped the fix" not "The fix was shipped by the team." Reserve passive for when the actor is truly unknown or irrelevant. Common words. Plain terms over Latinates: "use" not "utilize", "end" not "terminate", "ask" not "request". Actionable verbs. Name the action: "we will refund you" not "a refund will be issued".

## Links

- HTML page: https://omgskills.com/library/surendranb/writing-skills/skills/plain-language/
- GitHub: https://github.com/surendranb/writing-skills
- Author: [@surendranb](https://omgskills.com/library/surendranb/index.md)

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