Plain language plays a significant role in technical communication as all writing and communication instructors know. However, explaining it to students can be challenging, especially in Business Communication. In Business Communication, student interests range from finance and accounting to marketing and small business entrepreneurship. With so many options, companies, and job ads, finding a way to explain plain language requires creative thinking. 

Plain language is a tool used in many areas of society, as pointed out by Kira Dreher. We see it in healthcare, government, science, and yes business. “Plain language helps to advance the broader trend in business to build audience trust and personal loyalty through transparency,” (Dreher, 52). In other words, plain language is essential to building brand and customer loyalty and inviting them into the conversation. This very notion is a major theme within my classroom. I am constantly reiterating to my students the importance of Rhetorical Awareness. Rhetorical Awareness is understanding your own tone and voice, understanding what the audience already knows, and understanding what the audience wants, needs, and expects. You then use this to craft a message tailored to this audience. Such practices are at the heart of plain language. But the question is, do students see the connection? Have we defined it strongly, and clearly in the classroom?  

 Instructors are resistant to plain language due to it appearing surface-level, rule-based, and excluding foreign language speakers. Yet, instructors must approach the subject. “By teaching them stronger ways to define and apply plain language, we help bolster against weak applications in the future by harnessing the public buy-in that currently exists for the movement,” (Dreher, 57).  Dreher offers some ideas as to how instructors might do this. The one which interests me is the third exercise, Plain Language in Specific Fields. It asks students to research and identify plain language in their fields and disciplines. I see this being applied in my own classroom, with a few tweaks to fit my students. There are two steps to the process. 

1. Ask students to research plain language within their chosen discipline. In business communication, this could be anything from marketing and PR to finance. They should compile a list of resources for future reference. 
2. In groups, students should then compare it to more general guidelines from the Center for Plain Language. From there, they will make a list of specific actions for their specific fields. 

With so many areas of interest among business students such resources will be extremely valuable when reviewing plain language guidelines for their chosen fields. This will further different activities and concepts students already engage with in Business Communication like: 

• Researching keywords, values, and messaging of different companies. 
• The B.L.U.F.  and H.A.T.S. rule
• Rhetorical Awareness and User-Centered Design
• Developing strategies for negative messaging 
• Tone, Active and Passive Voice, and Concision
• Understanding the connection between the Audience and Context

Plain language is essential in the business world, especially in business communication. It provides a sense of trust because it provides transparency and understanding for the audience. There is a clear public need for plain language and our students must be ready to meet this need. It is then our job as instructors to face the challenges of plain language head-on, so our students might unlock plain language’s full potential.