plain-language-design
Write and review content for plain language accessibility. Use when writing interface copy, error messages, instructions, onboarding text, help content, legal or medical information, forms, or any user-facing text. Triggers on: plain language, reading level, simplify text, jargon, hard to understand, nobody reads this, unclear copy, rewrite, too complicated, ESL, literacy, readability.
How do I install this agent skill?
npx skills add https://github.com/owl-listener/inclusive-design-skills --skill plain-language-designIs this agent skill safe to install?
- Gen Agent Trust Hubpass
The skill provides guidelines and benchmarks for writing accessible, plain language content. It contains no code, network operations, or sensitive data access.
- Socketpass
No alerts
- Snykpass
Risk: LOW · No issues
What does this agent skill do?
Plain Language Design
Write and evaluate content so that people with cognitive disabilities, low literacy, non-native language skills, or high stress can understand it on the first read.
Plain language is not dumbed-down language. It is clear language. It respects the reader's time and cognitive resources.
The Tests
5-Second Test
Can someone read this sentence and understand it in 5 seconds? If not, rewrite.
Jargon Test
Would someone outside your industry understand every word? If not, replace the word or define it inline.
Action Test
For any instruction or button: is the next step completely unambiguous? "Save and continue" beats "Next". "Delete this item" beats "Remove".
Passive Voice Test
Passive voice hides who does what. "Your application has been rejected" → "We could not approve your application. Here's what to do next."
Sentence Length Test
- Aim for 15–20 words per sentence maximum
- One idea per sentence
- One instruction per paragraph
Common Replacements
| Instead of | Use |
|---|---|
| utilise | use |
| facilitate | help |
| implement | set up / start |
| terminate | end / stop |
| prior to | before |
| in order to | to |
| at this point in time | now |
| in the event that | if |
| with regard to | about |
| commence | start |
| sufficient | enough |
| subsequent | next |
| indicate | show / tell |
| modify | change |
Readability Benchmarks
- General public: grade 6–8 reading level
- Specialist audience: define terms, short sentences
- Critical content (medical, legal, financial): plain language summary alongside the full text
- Buttons, labels, error messages: grade 4–6 always
How to Review
- Read every piece of text aloud — stumbles reveal complexity
- Check sentence length (count words — flag any over 25)
- Identify jargon, acronyms, and idioms
- Verify every instruction has a clear, single action
- Check that error messages say: what happened + why + what to do
Output Format
When reviewing: present a table of flagged text with the original, the issue, and a rewritten version. When writing: produce plain language content with a note on the target reading level achieved.
How can the creator link this skill?
Add the canonical catalog link to the repository README so users can inspect current installs and available audits. The publishing guide covers the complete discovery path.
<a href="https://skillzs.dev/skills/owl-listener/inclusive-design-skills/plain-language-design">View plain-language-design on skillZs</a>