Evaluating plain language

This chapter focuses on the principle of usability by exploring a variety of ways to evaluate plain language documents. It covers tools such as checklists, plain language checkers, and generative AI. However, the best way to determine if a document meets a reader's needs is to ask the reader. Therefore, this chapter also presents different approaches to user testing, including surveys, interviews, and usability tests. Finally, the chapter introduces the notion of a plain language audit, using the example of the Plain Language Center's plain language report card, which is issued annually to federal agencies in the US as a means of assessing how well their websites follow plain language principles.