literacy Archives - The Editors' Weekly

Illustration of two people with a giant typewriter. A short-haired person reads a book at the base of the typewriter while a long-haired person stands on a ladder to reach the paper, where random letters fly off the page.

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Literacy in Canada: What You Need to Know

February 20, 2025 by Aaron Dalton | 4 Comments on Literacy in Canada: What You Need to Know

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) tracks important statistics around the world. They assess literacy with a standardized measure called the Survey of Adult Skills, which is designed to be repeated every ten years. As advocates for the reader, editors should know as much about them as possible. The results of its first round were […]

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Aaron Dalton literacy plain language

Illustration of four people collaborating over two computers on a desk. Abstract images representing ideas and success appear in the background.

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What Is Plain Language? Part 5: The Nitty-Gritty

February 15, 2022 by Aaron Dalton | 3 Comments on What Is Plain Language? Part 5: The Nitty-Gritty

This is the fifth and last in a series of articles discussing the basic principles of plain language by Aaron Dalton. I offer two half-day workshops: the first is all about the why and then we look at some document-level issues like tone. This is the workshop that I am most passionate about and try to get […]

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Aaron Dalton communications literacy plain language writing

Illustration of two people's hands pointing at a clipboard with items checked off of a to-do list. Hand-drawn sketches of business symbols (papers, charts, emails, etc.) surround the clipboard.

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What Is Plain Language? Part 4: Craftsmanship

November 16, 2021 by Aaron Dalton | 1 Comment on What Is Plain Language? Part 4: Craftsmanship

This is the fourth in a series of articles discussing the basic principles of plain language by Aaron Dalton. Most of the writing that happens in an office is stream-of-consciousness. We fire off dozens of quick emails and texts a day with little thought. But the writing we do for external readers requires more care. Effective writing […]

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Aaron Dalton communications literacy plain language writing

Illustration of a large arrow pointing to the right in a crowd of smaller arrows pointing to the left, signifying going against the flow. (godruma © 123RF.com)

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What Is Plain Language? Part 3: When You Assume …

October 12, 2021 by Aaron Dalton | 5 Comments on What Is Plain Language? Part 3: When You Assume …

This is the third in a series of articles discussing the basic principles of plain language by Aaron Dalton. You’re preparing a speech for a community association. You disagree with a particular policy, but you moderate your language because you “know” that most people disagree with you. What nobody realizes, though, is that actually, most people disagree […]

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Aaron Dalton communications literacy plain language writing

Illustration of a magnifying glass over an open book (pandavector © 123RF.com)

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What Is Plain Language? Part 2: Reading Is a Skill

August 31, 2021 by Aaron Dalton | 3 Comments on What Is Plain Language? Part 2: Reading Is a Skill

This is the second in a series of articles discussing the basic principles of plain language by Aaron Dalton. Defining literacy Literacy is not just about being able to read and write; it’s also about being able to understand and use what you read. In an earlier blog post, I mentioned a standardized measure called […]

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Aaron Dalton communications literacy plain language writing

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Developing the Next Generation of Canadian Readers

February 16, 2021 by Lucy Payette | 6 Comments on Developing the Next Generation of Canadian Readers

My son’s middle-school language arts teacher initiated a reading project earlier this year. The task was simple: choose a book to read with an adult and talk about it. I’m on board with the assignment. Despite my efforts, there are a few entertainment systems vying for my son’s attention. When he chose me as the […]

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Canadian publishers diverse voices literacy Lucy Payette reading

A striking black and white image of an older man with glasses perched on his nose, side lit and wearing a plaid jacket or housecoat, who is holding what looks like an old book and reading.

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Freedom to Read, at All

February 28, 2013 by Debra Huron | Leave a Comment

Although larger social issues are on the periphery of what we do as editors and writers, they sometimes grab my attention by speaking to questions of equity and human rights regarding the written word. Here’s how this is resonating with me this week. During the week of February 24 as Canada celebrates Freedom to Read Week, […]

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Freedom to Read Week literacy