The Town of Chapel Hill is committed to clear and effective communication with all stakeholders.

Plain Language is a communication style we use to make our writing and visuals clear, concise, and trustworthy. Almost half of adults in the United States have difficulty reading and understanding text. Plain Language can reduce the time it takes for residents to read and understand a document by up to 50%.   

The Plain Writing Act of 2010 defines plain language as: "Writing that is clear, concise, well-organized, and follows other best practices appropriate to the subject or field and intended audience. "

Why use plain language 

When government documents are clear and easy to understand, people are more likely to trust the government.  

This leads to increased resident and community participation and cooperation. Users can

• Find what they need 

• Understand what they find 

• Use what they find to meet their needs 

Learn more about Plain Language: plainlanguage.gov

Town of Chapel Hill Center of Excellence: townofchapelhill.styleguide.com