While we're not running the Awards in 2020, we will be back! So hold on to your entries. Image by Neel / Unsplash licence
The annual Plain English Awards is a world-class event that relies on the efforts and support of a large and varied group of plain language enthusiasts. From our generous sponsors to our international panels of judges; our administrative team through to our entrants — every year we benefit from a huge amount of passion and commitment.
We acknowledge the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on many individuals and organisations, so we’ve decided not to run the Awards this year. We’re mindful that many organisations that would normally enter may be under greater pressure than usual. And that other organisations and individuals who usually get involved with the Awards may have less availability.
Our patron, Chloe Wright, supports the decision: ‘I think this option makes sense for this year,’ she says. ‘So many difficult decisions have had to be made over the past few months. We must look to a different and better future by coming through COVID shaken but whole.’
We’ll be ready to roll again when the time’s right
Although we’re not running the Awards this year, we will be back soon. We’ve loved the wonderful examples of plain English that we’ve seen being used both in New Zealand and overseas to communicate clearly during the pandemic. This heightened interest in clear communication gives us an extra incentive to get back up and running when the time’s right.
We look forward to celebrating the efforts of so many communicators at such an important time. So hold on to your entries — we won’t be hosting the Awards for a while, but we’ll make sure you can enter projects you’re especially proud of from your work in 2020.
Keep safe and well. And be sure to check in from time to time. We’ll let you know as soon as we’re ready to get rolling again.
Rhiannon Davies May 21st, 2020
Posted In: 2020 Plain English Awards, Industry awards
Tags: Plain English Awards
The 2020 Plain English Awards open on 31 March. Image by Kevin Bidwell / Pexels licence
On 31 March 1889 Gustave Eiffel’s tower opened in Paris. On 31 March 1959, the Dalai Lama trekked across the Himalayan Mountains from Lhasa to seek asylum in India. On 31 March 2011, a deadly Egyptian cobra was found alive one week after escaping the reptile house at New York’s Bronx zoo.
On 31 March this year, New Zealand’s Oscars for clear communication turns on the lights and rolls out the fancy carpet for entries in the 2020 Plain English Awards.
Everyone’s a winner
The Awards recognise outstanding efforts in communicating clearly. They’re proof of the power of good communication in doing good.
While the winners get rightful recognition, the real winners are the people and communities who get the information they need. And people feel good when they know what a writer is trying to say and that has their interests at heart.
This year the Plain English Awards has 13 categories open. The Plain English Awards Trust is looking forward to receiving quality entries across all these categories.
Plain English Awards categories
- Plain English Champion
- Best Organisation
- Best Individual or Team
- Best Plain English Document
- Public Sector
- Private Sector
- Best Plain English Sentence Transformation
- Best Plain English Annual Report
- Best Plain English Legal Document
- Best Plain English Technical Communicator
- Best Plain English Turnaround
- People’s Choice
- Best Plain English Communication
- Worst Brainstrain Communication
More than prizes
Apart from the accolades and feathers in caps for winning, past finalists have found that they gained a huge amount even from the judges’ comments they received. Feedback from an anonymous survey of entrants referenced the value of this feedback.
‘The judge’s feedback is priceless – WOW… whatever we paid to enter is nothing compared to that feedback document.’
The Awards get great publicity each year and help boost awareness that the public doesn’t need to put up with poorly written information.
Winners also benefit by being seen as an attractive organisation that can lure strong writers and talented team members.
‘It reinforces that we don’t just say that we communicate with people in clear and plain language — that we actually do.’
You can see your effort has paid off
Writing in plain English and winning an award for your craft can be like mountain climbing. The effort is immense, but the views from the top are crystal clear.
On 29 May 1953 Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary reached the summit of Mount Everest. And 29 May 2020 is the last day for entries…
Here’s how to enter
Rhiannon Davies March 10th, 2020
Posted In: 2020 Plain English Awards, Industry awards
Tags: Plain English Awards 2020
Hands up who's excited about the upcoming Plain English Awards? Image by Jaime Lopes/Unsplash licence.
We’re encouraged by the amount of interest people are showing in next year’s Awards. We hope this is a sign that our goal of creating a public preference for plain English is working!
So that you’re ready when the time comes, here are the dates you need to know for the 2020 Awards.
- Entries open: Tuesday, 31 March
- Entries close: Friday, 29 May
- Shortlist announced: Thursday, 18 June
- Finalists announced: Thursday, 23 July
- Winners announced: Thursday, 20 August
Find out more about entering the 2020 Plain English Awards
Email us to find out about sponsorship options for next year’s Awards
Rhiannon Davies November 18th, 2019
Posted In: 2020 Plain English Awards, Industry awards, Plain English Awards
Tags: clear thinking, clear writing, improved writing, Industry awards, jargon, jargon-busting, plain English, Plain English Awards, plain language, power of plain English, writing for the public
Let’s roll out the red carpet for the winners in the Australian Clear Communication Awards
Australia now has its very own awards to recognise excellence in clear communication and plain language. The Clear Communication Awards aim to help people readily participate in society by being able to easily understand essential communications from government and business.
The founders of the Awards believe that being able to understand a message on first reading is not only important — sometimes it’s life-saving. This notion played a big part in motivating the three Melbourne professionals to create the Awards. And they were of course partly inspired by our own Plain English Awards!
‘We want to find information quickly and for it to be bite-size. We don’t have the tolerance or desire to work hard, and any difficulty will send us back to Google to find an alternative,’ says Joh Kirby, one of the organisers.
Announcing the winners
The winners of the inaugural 2019 awards have just been announced. You can find out about the winners on the Clear Communication Awards website:
https://clearcommunication.com.au/2019winners/
The fine array of finalists deserves a mention too:
https://clearcommunication.com.au/2019finalists/
Let’s also applaud the organisers
We know that running a successful awards programme takes a lot of commitment from the organisers and volunteers involved. Among those who dedicate their time is a long list of international plain language and communication experts who judge each category. Congratulations on a successful first year!
Read more about the Australian Clear Communication Awards on their website
Rhiannon Davies November 1st, 2019
Posted In: Industry awards
Tags: clear thinking, clear writing, improved writing, Industry awards, jargon, jargon-busting, plain English, plain language, power of plain English, writing for the public
Have you heard the news? Our judges have chosen their finalists. Image by Rakicevic Nenad. Pexels license.
They said it wasn’t an easy task. However, after running over their shortlisted entries with a fine-tooth comb, our judges have settled on this year’s finalists.
Who are our Best finalists?
The following nominations are finalists in our People’s Choice — Best Plain English Communication category:
Who are our Brainstrain finalists?
The following nominations are finalists in our People’s Choice — Worst Brainstrain category:
- Auckland City Council — Proposed Plan Change letter
- Christchurch City Council — Te Wai Ora o Tāne Draft Integrated Water Strategy
- Rabo Capital Securities Limited — Redemption Notice letter
What happens next
Our judges in each category will now review their selected entries and decide on a winner. Our media partner, Newsroom, will announce this year’s winners on their website on Thursday, 28 November.
Rhiannon Davies October 18th, 2019
Posted In: 2019 People's Choice Awards, Brainstrain, Finalists, Industry awards
Tags: Best Plain English Communication, Finalists, People's Choice 2019, Worst Brainstrain
Is your writing like a can of worms? Image by Sam Howzit, Creative Commons 2.0 licence.
You’re in for a plain English treat over the next couple of years. This year we’re pushing the People’s Choice Awards to the fore (we’ll be back with the full Awards next year). So right now, in 2019, we’re giving all of you in the public domain the chance to nominate your most and least favourite communications.
Here are three great reasons to get involved this year.
You want to do something about frustratingly confusing communications
When you nominate a communication for the not-so-coveted Brainstrain award, you’ll be helping to make a positive difference to the way organisations communicate. Almost without exception, organisations step up to ‘take it on the chin’ when nominated for the dreaded bin of sour worm lollies. With the public scrutiny they get from winning the Brainstrain category, they’re motivated to change.
You want to share a wonderful example of clear communication with the world
We love to celebrate the great work happening in so many organisations that are improving the way they communicate. Winning the award for Best Plain English Communication is a public pat on the back for New Zealand’s clearest communicators. Help them get the recognition they deserve.
You want to help improve the lives of everyday Kiwis
The People’s Choice Awards help organisations to keep things real with their communications. If they win the Best Plain English Communication award, they’re recognised for getting things right for their audience. If, however, they win the dreaded Brainstrain award, they have plenty of incentive to change for the good.
Don’t muck about. It’s time to send your nominations for this year’s People’s Choice Awards!
Nicola Welby May 27th, 2019
Posted In: 2019 People's Choice Awards, Industry awards, People, Social good
Tags: Brainstrain, clear thinking, jargon, jargon-busting, People's Choice
It's time for the public to have their say! Image by Jon Tyson. Unsplash licence
We’re ready to roll with the Awards in 2019 — and we’ve got some exciting plans to tell you about.
We’ll alternate between the Plain English Awards and the People’s Choice Awards
As you might imagine, it takes a tonne of support and time and resources to bring together annual awards. We’re now in our 14th year, and we know that our momentum is strong and that people’s appetite for plain English continues to grow.
After lots of planning and consideration, we’ve decided to alternate between having the full Plain English Awards one year and the People’s Choice Awards the next. Having held the full Awards last year in 2018, this means we’re focusing on the People’s Choice only in 2019.
Some of you will remember that the idea of holding the People’s Choice Awards on their own is actually not a new one. You may recall we held them on their own in 2016, to coincide with the Clarity2016 conference here in Wellington.
Entries for this year’s People’s Choice Awards will open on Saturday, 1 June
Once entries are open, members of the public will be able to nominate an outstanding communication of their choice for the People’s Choice — Best Plain English Communication.
People will also be able to nominate a miserable communication for the notorious People’s Choice — Worst Brainstrain Communication.
Entries in the People’s Choice Awards are free and will be judged by a panel of plain language specialists from New Zealand and overseas.
We’re planning a mid-year Awards ceremony
Another result of our planning is that we’ve decided to aim for a mid-year ceremony. Traditionally we’ve celebrated our winners in November. However, after this year, entries will open near the end of the year and we’ll celebrate winners the following winter. Because who doesn’t love a good mid-winter celebration?!
What about next year’s full Plain English Awards?
Entries for the 2020 Plain English Awards will open in November this year. We’ll give you plenty of information before then, so keep your eye out for our newsletters and other publicity. Subscribe to our newsletter
Thanks for following and supporting the annual Plain English Awards. You all play a big part in making these Awards a valuable and exciting event.
Nicola Welby May 9th, 2019
Posted In: 2019 People's Choice Awards, Communications, Industry awards, People's Choice awards
Tags: Brain Strain Awards, People's Choice Awards, Plain English Awards
Read on for part 2 of the inspiring speech given by Lynda Harris, Awards founder and CE of main sponsor Write Limited, at the 2018 Plain English Awards
I said that care can be a powerful catalyst for action if we will act on what we feel prompted to do. The three law firm owners I interviewed had done just that — they literally turned their values and sense of care into strong action.
So, believing what you do about the power of plain language, my question to you as both writer and consumer is ‘what action can you take that is bigger and bolder than before?’ How can you make your sense of care count?
As a writer your awareness of the benefits of plain language will naturally spur you on to rewrite. Make your effort meaningful! What significant project needs your support and insights? Which of your reader groups are most in need? Who must you persuade? Where can you make a difference?
As a consumer, it’s your voice that will bring change, so speak up! When you receive a document that is anything but reader-friendly, reject! Don‘t sign a difficult to understand contract. Query unclear instructions and ask for better. Tell companies what you think of their convoluted policies.
Let care equal action. Let care equal clear.
Find out more about the WriteMark Plain Language Standard
Melissa Mebus February 14th, 2019
Posted In: 2018 Plain English Awards, Industry awards, Social good
Tags: 2018 Plain English Awards, Care, clear communication, Social good
You now have 3 whole days more to submit your entries!
Entries for the 2018 Plain English Awards now close at midnight next Monday, 3 September. That means you’ve got 3 extra days to create your winning entry!
Read about our categories
See who won at last year’s Awards
Melissa Mebus August 30th, 2018
Posted In: 2018 Plain English Awards, Industry awards, People's Choice awards, Winners
Tags: 2018 Plain English Awards, clear communication, entry, Industry awards
Trophies are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the benefits of entering industry awards. Photo by Photo by Jennifer Latuperisa-Andresen on Unsplash
What’s the first image that comes to mind when you think about industry awards? For many people the answer might be trophies and photos in the newspaper, but those overt benefits are often just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
The benefits of entering an industry award, and perhaps winning, go much deeper than you might first think. Public recognition is one of the most rewarding benefits, of course. But that benefit is often one of many.
Setting standards and demonstrating value
We’ve been running the Plain English Awards for 13 years. Over this time we’ve seen a steady increase in the quality of the entries. We’ve also seen a steady increase in interest in the Awards. And we’ve witnessed and recorded the benefits that organisations and individuals, as well as sponsors, reap from association with the Awards.
What are these benefits?
- Optimal benchmarking: the recipient of an award is seen as setting a standard
- Building credibility and strength: awards validate an organisation’s position with prospective customers and clients
- Demonstrating value: winning an award provides clear evidence of the value an organisation brings to its clients
- Communicating that you’re professional: winning an award shows that you’re a reputable professional whose achievements stand out
A long-term commitment to quality
What about those individuals and organisations that win more than once? This kind of achievement reinforces all the points above, and shows that you’ve committed to quality for the long term. What more could a client or customer wish for?
Read about how one organisation won our Best Organisation award in 2007 — and won again 8 years later in 2015.
Melissa Mebus August 10th, 2018
Posted In: 2018 Plain English Awards, Industry awards, Winners
Tags: 2018 Plain English Awards, clear communication, Industry awards
