Writing for Woking.gov.uk

Keeping language clear and simple will make sure our service and products are understandable to all our users.

Complicated words and long sentences can be a barrier, particularly for users:

• with learning disabilities or cognitive issues
• with lower reading ability
• whose first language is not English. This includes sign-language (BSL) speakers

Our aim is to write for a 9 year old reading age.

How we write for a 9 year old reading age

We try to:

• write clearly and simply
• use acronyms sparingly, and define the ones you do use
• set the language of every page
• set the language of any content that is in a different language to the rest of the page
• publish an easy-read version if your users need it

We try not to:

• use jargon or undefined acronyms
• write long or complicated sentences
• use idioms or figures of speech
• use ampersands or other text symbols in place of words

Plain English and words to avoid 

Plain English is mandatory for most of Woking.gov.uk. We also use the Government Digital Services (GDS) plain English guidance and words to avoid list.

The list is not exhaustive. It’s an indicator to show you the sort of language that confuses users.

We have imported the GDS words to avoid list, as well as other words we should avoid into our corporate Siteimprove account. This means Woking.gov.uk is actively scanned for language we should not be using.