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Plain language: structure

Last updated on July 29, 2025

Learn how to organize your writing so it’s clear and easy to follow.

This is the second step in writing plain language.

  1. Audience and purpose – Know who you're writing for and why
  2. Structure – Organize your ideas in a clear, logical way
  3. Design – Make your text easy to read and navigate
  4. Expression – Use everyday words and a natural tone
  5. Evaluation – Test and improve your writing

How to organize your writing

  1. Start with a mental or written overview of the key topics
  2. Think about your audience - does your list of topics match the topics they will care about and will want to read?
  3. Arrange the topics in order so it is easy to follow and understand
  4. Put the most important information first
  5. Remove redundant or unnecessary sections

Follow established standards

Think about the type of information you are sharing. Is there a template you can use? Here are some common structures for presenting information:

  • Chronological (timeline)
  • Sequential (step 1, 2, 3...)
  • Geographical 
  • Hierarchical

 

Practice your skills

Next component

Once you've completed the exercise, go to the next component to learn about Plain language: Design.

Continue to next component

  • Start with the most important information
  • Arrange topics in a logical order
  • Follow established standards

Writing in plain language is a process. It can be broken down into five components:

  • Audience and purpose – Know who you're writing for and why
  • Structure – Organize your ideas in a clear, logical way
  • Design – Make your text easy to read and navigate
  • Expression – Use everyday words and a natural tone
  • Evaluation – Test and improve your writing