The Federal Government is not widely known for its forays into the realm of humor. Indeed, the phrase “government humor” would fit comfortably on any list of oxymorons, especially one written during tax season. Imagine my surprise, then, to discover a humor section on the government’s own Plain Language web site. The site itself is intended to reinforce the Plain Writing Act of 2010, which requires that federal agencies use “clear Government communication that the public can understand and use.”
One of the site’s humor pages offers up a list of rules, titled “How to Write Good.” The list was written by ad man Frank L. Visco, and originally published in the June 1986 issue of Writers’ Digest. The list appears on several sites in addition to that of our government. Make sure, as you read each item, that you savor the irony — and don’t miss the one in the introductory sentence!
