RE: Proposed 4.1 wording for discussion and new proposal

I too like the proposal that Avi has put forward for 4.1, especially because
it offers such a lucid explanation of plain language and such useful advice
about how to accomplish it (the list of elements).  List points out that the
list doesn't quite fit the way we've worked with other checkpoints, but I
think there's a relatively simple solution for that: the list of elements
can go under the "Advice" heading we've used elsewhere in 2.0.  

I disagree with Lisa's suggestion about linking success at the various
levels to a percentage of the elements listed.  Talking in such terms may be
heuristically useful, but it seems too mechanical a solution to be truly
effective.

John

John Slatin, Ph.D.
Director, Institute for Technology & Learning
University of Texas at Austin
FAC 248C, Mail code G9600
Austin, TX 78712
ph 512-495-4288, f 512-495-4524
email [email protected]
web http://www.ital.utexas.edu
 


-----Original Message-----
From: Lisa Seeman [mailto:[email protected]] 
Sent: Wednesday, August 21, 2002 4:09 pm
To: 'Avi Arditti'; [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]; 'Lisa Seeman'
Subject: Proposed 4.1 wording for discussion and new proposal



I very much liked the simplification of Checkpoint 4.1 to  "Use plain
language" I think it implies all the considerations that we had in wording
this checkpoint. If using simpler word has changed the meaning of the
sentence then you are not using plain language, but rubbish (be it simple
rubbish). Plain language implies some ((un)common since.

In terms of the success criteria, the list is still incomplete as we are
aweighting the complete list from Ben, But its layout is interesting. It
does not follow the formulary for success criteria that we have been working
on at all. But does follow the spirit of the success criteria so eloquently
described by Jason - who I will now attempt to misquote....

Level one implies they you have attempted to address these issues, some
what. Level two is were you have taken it to a further level, and level
three is were you have done everything you could do. (sorry Jason, I just do
not have your eloquence)

Other then that I have (of course) problems with the wording of the both the
list and the success criteria. But the approach is an interesting one.

I would make the levels at (this is the new proposal bit) : success criteria
level one: Adopting consistently (Implementing ) a quarter of the elements
listed below, success criteria  level two: Implementing half elements listed
below, success criteria  level three : Implementing all the elements listed
bellow ( the whole thing) OR a format/extra information that allowed
automatic and correct conversion to plain language (yup - ILS).

Then we need only include in the list testable criteria, but with no concern
for appropriateness.

The beauty of this approach is that on every page you can find 1/4 plain
language ideas that work and are suitable, even if any one by themselves can
not be applied across the board. If this is not the case, then 1/4 is too
high and we make lower - until we get something workable.

Flexible, robust and enduring...

All the best,

Lisa Seeman

UnBounded Access

Widen the World Web

http://www.UBaccess.com



-----Original Message-----
From: Avi Arditti [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2002 4:28 PM
To: [email protected]
Cc: [email protected]; Lisa Seeman
Subject: Re: Proposed 4.1 wording for discussion


Greetings to all,

I would like to propose some ideas for checkpoint 4.1 in an effort to revive
and narrow the discussion. What I have written incorporates ideas that
Bengt, Lisa (by phone) and I discussed at the Linz f2f. It also incorporates
some wording from the current draft of 2.0. And it attempts to deal with
concerns raised during telecons.

I await comments and suggestions. As we say in American slang, bring it on!
(But please be judicious with the trash talk.)

Avi Arditti
Senior News Editor - Web Editor
Voice of America, Special English Branch
Washington, DC 20237 USA
(202) 619-0927 | (202) 619-2543 fax
[email protected] | www.voaspecialenglish.com | www.plainlanguage.gov