As an intern at VisibleThread, the compliance and clarity experts, you and several other interns have been assigned the task of researching the history of the plain writing/plain language movement. Many of its principles are embodied in the business model of VisibleThread. Your training manager Fiona McBride thinks that this research will help you better understand the company goals. She found a stirring quotation from Annetta Cheek, who kicked off the Plain Language Symposium in Washington, D.C., some years ago. Ms. Cheek claimed that “plain writing is a civil right.” Do you agree? 

Your Task.

As part of your intern training, Ms. McBride asks you and other interns to prepare a brief history of the movement. Explain how it got started, who must comply, and whom it benefits. She also asks that you list and illustrate at least five of its guidelines with original examples. Individually or as a team, prepare a one-page report as an e-mail directed to Fiona.McBride@ vthread.com but submitted to your instructor.