Drivel Defence: are you writing in plain English?

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Drivel Defence: are you writing in plain English?

Post by Erik_Kowal » Wed May 07, 2008 12:16 pm

There is a pair of tools produced by the Plain English Campaign described -- not surprisingly -- as "a software package that will help you to check the use of plain English". You can download them from http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/DrivelDefence.html.

These two programs are actually JavaScript-based web page files that should run on any operating system with a recent web browser installed. One is designed to allow you to check your text by copying it from a document or program (useful when writing letters or reports). This tool can be either downloaded to your computer or run from the Plain English Campaign's website.

The other tool is specifically intended to help website developers check whether the content of their web pages is in plain English. To use it you must download it and run it on your own computer.

The programs will probably be most useful to those who have an intermediate-level or advanced grasp of English.
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