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简明英语首先要求确定写作的目的和读者群，根据读者的需求和知识水平，确定写作的内容和风格。从简明英语运动的发展来看，简明英语一直是面向大众的英语。由于大众的受教育程度不一定很高，所以，简明英语从内容、句式到用词，都力图做到清晰易懂、言简意赅；形式上做到一目了然。简明英语不仅受到一般公众的欢迎，也受到专业人士喜爱，所以，即使撰写学术论文，也提倡使用简明英语。
简明英语要有清楚的条理。如果要传达的信息很多，一定要把信息拆分成符合逻辑的信息单元。每个单元使用标题和小标题。标题和小标题要有内容，不仅仅是为了打破文件形式的单调。对于每一个信息单元，应当首先陈述要点，然后予以解释和论证。遇到复杂的信息，要使用列表（bullet points），或举例、画图加以解释。
“Vigorous writing is concise.A sentence should contain no unnecessary words，a paragraph no unnecessary sentences，for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no unnecessary parts.”
—William Strunk，Jr.， The Elements of Style
简明英语的一个重要特点是言简意赅，要言不烦。这一特征显然继承了William Strunk，Jr.自1918年出版 The Elements of Style 以来所提倡的文风。文件是否受到重视，不在于它的长短。很多国际机构和政府部门就明确规定不接受过长的文件。要缩短文件，做到言简意赅，可以从很多小的地方着手：
已经说过的，不再说；读者知道的，不再说；读者可以推知的，不再说。试比较：原文：
In my personal opinion，we must listen to and think over in a punctilious manner each and every suggestion that is of ered to us.
分析：
personal：任何意见都是个人的；
opinion：所说的任何话都是一种意见；
listen to and think over：两个词的意思相同，可以概括为consider；
in a punctilious manner：较短的说法是punctiliously，更简单的说法是carefully；
each and every：同义词并列；
suggestion that is of ered to us：suggestion 一定是提给别人的，已经隐含在of er中。
改写：
We must consider each suggestion carefully.
消除意思重复，可以使用以下手段：
一、两个词意思相同的，只留一个
英语中有一些同义词对（redundant pairs），其中一个来自法语或拉丁语，意思几乎相同，使用时只需保留一个简单的。如：
full and complete，true and accurate，hopes and desires，each and every，first and foremost，any and all，various and sundry，basic and fundamental，so on and so forth.
二、修饰语的意思已经被隐含的，不用修饰语
有些修饰语的意思已经包含在中心词里（redundant modifiers），应当去掉该修饰语，如以下各例括号中的词：
The end result of this merger will be higher unemployment.（end）the underlying principle of this document （underlying）
This policy will completely eliminate computer crime.（completely）The problem of dishonesty still remains.（still）
其他例子有：
each individual，consensus of opinion，important essentials，future plans，final outcome，initial preparation，free gift等。
三、词本身已经隐含其范畴的，不用范畴词
通常，一个词本身就可表明其范畴（类别），所以不必再用表示范畴的词。如time的范畴是period，所以不用说time period；同样，不用说pink in color，shiny in appearance。英语叫redundant categories.
有时，可以把形容词变为副词，以消除范畴词（A是不符合要求的句子，B是修改后的句子。下同）：
A：The holes must be aligned in an accurate manner.
B：The holes must be accurately aligned.
有时，可以把形容词变为名词，把多余的名词去掉：
A：The educational process and athletic activities are the responsibility of county governmental systems.
B：Education and athletics are the responsibility of county governments.
四、避免冗长的表达方式和“慢启动”句子
有些表达方式，没有太大实际意义，却推迟了主要意思的到来，应当尽量不用或少用：试比较：
A：For all intents and purposes，American industrial productivity generally depends on certain factors that are really more psychological in kind than of any given technological aspect.
B：American industrial productivity depends more on psychological than on technological factors.
A：The point I am trying to make is that the NAFTA policy will not benefit the country.
B：The NAFTA policy will not benefit the country.
类似的词还有：
usually，often，sometimes，almost，virtually，possibly，perhaps，apparently，seemingly，in some ways，to a certain extent，sort of，somewhat，more or less，for the most part，to all intents and purposes，in some respects，in my opinion，at least，may，might，can，could，seem，tend，try，attempt，seek，hope. as everyone knows，it is generally agreed that，it is quite true that，as we can plainly see，literally，clearly，obviously，undoubtedly，certainly，of course，indeed，inevitably，very，invariably，always，key，central，crucial，basic，fundamental，major，cardinal，primary，principal，essential.
有些文章故弄玄虚，把简单的问题复杂化、抽象化，这是简明英语所应避免的。试比较：
Pursuant to the recent memorandum issued August 9，1996，because of financial exigencies，it is incumbent upon us all to endeavor to make maximal utilization of telephonic communication in lieu of personal visitation.
As reported in our August 9 memo，use the telephone as much as possible，instead of making personal visits，to save the company money.
以下摘自对两个雇员的评估报告：
The attitude of each，that he was not required to inform himself of，and his lack of interest in，the measures taken by the other to carry out the responsibility assigned to such other under the provision of plans then in effect，demonstrated on the part of each lack of appreciation of the responsibilities vested in them，and inherent in their positions.
改写为简明英语是：
Neither took any interest in the other’s plans，or even found out what they were.This shows that they did not appreciate the responsibilities of their positions.
按照人的认识规律，人们对新事物的认识是在已有知识基础上进行的。所以，在介绍新知识时，应当以旧知识作铺垫，引出新知识。同样，在写作时，也要把先发生的事情或已知的内容（旧信息）放在前面，把新信息放在后面。排列顺序不当，违反人的认识规律，可能会造成理解困难，有时需要读几遍才能掌握句子强调的重点，有时更可能无法读懂（口头交流时可以不遵守这一规律，因为可以通过较重的语调表示强调）。写作和翻译时可以采用以下方法排列信息：
一、指出每个施动者，按逻辑顺序叙述各项动作
以前：
Its decision on allocation of ESF assistance will be taken subsequent to receipt of all project applications at the Committee’s meeting.
现在：
When all applicants have submitted their project applications，the Committee will meet to decide how much ESF aid it will grant to each one.
必须指出，这条规则不可绝对化。英语把时间、条件、原因状语放在后面的例子同样常见。谁先谁后，取决于上下文的衔接（见下一条规则）。脱离上下文，无论怎样排列都可以。这是一条处理句子信息结构的规则；至于段落的信息结构，则是首先提出问题，然后回答问题。
二、保证段落各句层层推进
把旧信息或已知信息放在句首，新信息或复杂信息放在句末，可以使论述层层推进，帮助读者抓住论证的线索：
The court of auditors’ report criticizes agricultural spending and proposes some new measures to prevent fraud.
Their proposals include setting up a special task force with powers to search farms.
Such powers are not normally granted to Commission officials，but fraud prevention is now one of the EU’s main priorities.
三、句子的结尾要有力 如有必要，把不重要的信息移向句子左侧，避免有气无力的结尾：
Complete institutional reform is advocated by the report in most cases.
What the report advocates，in most cases，is complete institutional reform.通过其他手段把句子重心后移：
For EU enlargement several alternative scenarios could be considered.
There are several scenarios that we could consider for EU enlargement.The accession of new Member States in several stages now seems likely.
It now seems likely that new Member States will join in several stages.
读者或听众印象最深的，是最后看到的或听到的。
一、用简单的句型
A：There are three common types of splices that are used in electrical connections.
B：Three types of splices are used in electrical connections.
A：It is important that all employees read the safety handbook.
B：All employees must read the safety handbook.
A：There are three other considerations that outweigh ...
B：Three other considerations outweigh ...
A：The state court had proposed that there be a bellwether trial ...
B：The state court had proposed a bellwether trial ...
A：Petitioner would seek to have this Court ...
B：Smith seeks to have this Court ...
C：Smith asks this Court ...
A：An example would be ...
B：An example is ...
二、限制句子长度
根据美国证券和交易委员会编写的写作手册，句子平均长度应为15—20个单词，句子要长短结合，长句不超过三项信息。以前：
If you could let me have the latest typed version of the form in the next seven days，whereupon I suggest we meet here on 19 December to finalize the text so that you could then give me an estimate of the cost of producing a typeset proof.
现在：
Please let me have the latest typed version of the form in the next seven days.I suggest we meet here on 19 December to finalize the text.You could then give me an estimate of the cost of producing a typeset proof.
以前：
The following description encompasses all the material terms and provisions of the Notes of ered hereby and supplements，and to the extent inconsistent therewith replaces，the description of the general terms and provisions of the Debt Securities （as defined in the accompanying Prospectus）set forth under the heading“Description of Debt Securities”in the Prospectus，to which description reference is hereby made.The following description will apply to each Note unless otherwise specified in the applicable Pricing Supplement.
这段话的问题，不仅在于句子长，包含复杂的信息，还在于没有向读者提供必要的背景情况。以下是两种改写方法，一种没有采用列表方式，一种采用了列表方式。
现在1：
We provide information to you about our notes in three separate documents that progressively provide more detail：1）the prospectus，2）the prospectus supplement，and 3）the pricing supplement.Since the terms of specific notes may dif er from the general information we have provided，in all cases rely on information in the pricing supplement over different information in the prospectus and the prospectus supplement；and rely on this prospectus supplement over different information in the prospectus.
现在2：
We provide information to you about our notes in three separate documents that progressively provide more detail：
1.The Prospectus
General information that may or may not apply to each note.
2.The Prospectus Supplement
More specific than the prospectus，and to the extent information differs from the prospectus，rely on the different information in this document.
3.The Pricing Supplement
Provides that details about a specific note including its price.To the extent information differs from the prospectus or the prospectus supplement，rely on the different information in this document.
主动语态简短、清楚；被动语态较长，有时意思不清。主动语态应占90%。在10%的情况下，使用被动语态更合适。
试比较：
New guidelines have been laid down by the President in the hope that the length of documents submitted by DGs will be restricted to 20 pages.
The President has laid down new guidelines in the hope that DGs will restrict the length of documents to 20 pages.
下面是把被动语态变为主动语态的例子：
不好：
A recommendation was made by the European Parliament that consideration be given by the Member States to a simplification of the award procedure.
稍好：
The European Parliament made a recommendation that the Member States give consideration to a simplification of the award procedure.
较好：
The European Parliament recommended that the Member States consider simplifying the award procedure.
被动语态在某些情况下可以使用。
施动者显而易见，没有必要说明：
All Commission staff are encouraged to write clearly.
提请读者注意动作的接受者：
One of the most controversial members of the European Parliament has been interviewed by the press about the proposal.
需要把新奇或重要的信息放在句末：
After the Summit the President was interviewed by a ten-year-old pupil from the European School.
当然，如果你想逃避责任，可以用被动语态：
“In my department the advice on clear English has been disregarded.”
避免使用动词变来的名词；把动词变来的名词转为动词：
A：I will make adjustments to the procedure
B：I will adjust the procedure
A：Upon the approval of your request
B：When （If）your request is approved
A：Before consideration can be given to X
B：Before we can consider X
A：Indication was made in your letter that
B：Your letter indicated that
使用强势动词也使句子更简洁。
一、避免使用大词、抽象词、行话、拉丁语、流行词、外来语、古语
例如：
不使用 使用
Accede to agree to
determine set
Domicile house/address
eliminate cut out
emphasize highlight
employment opportunities jobs
避免使用：
Afore-mentioned，aforesaid，hereby，herein，hereinafter，hereinbefore，hereunto，pursuant，thenceforth，thereunto，wheresoever，whereas，whereof，whosoever
二、一个词可以说清楚的，不用短语
例如：
in view of the fact that 可变为 as
with respect to 可变为 on
a certain number of 可变为 some
the majority of 可变为 most
pursuant to 可变为 under
within the framework of 可变为 under
一、避免修饰语放错位置
A：The Deputy Minister cancelled her appointment to tour the droughtstricken area.
B：The Deputy Minister cancelled her appointment so she could tour the drought-stricken area.
二、避免连续使用两个以上的介词短语
A：He discussed the question of stocking the proposed hog operations with his associates.
B：He and his associates discussed the question of stocking the proposed hog operation.
三、使用单数名词，不使用复数
不说：
The guard shall issue security badges to employees who work in Building D and Building E.
要说：
The guard shall issue a security badge to each employee who works in Building D and each employee who works in Building E.
除非表示：
The guard shall issue a security badge to each employee who works in both Building D and Building E.（还可能有其他意思）
四、避免一连串的名词修饰名词
名词修饰名词造成名词之间逻辑关系不清。使用介词澄清各词之间的关系：
A：Underground mine worker safety protection procedures development
B：Developing procedures to protect the safety of workers in underground mines
使用人称代词，如you，I，we等，拉近与读者的距离。把自己的机构称为we，把读者称为you：
以前：
An information helpline is also operated by ABC Hospital Trust for the convenience of patients.
现在：
We also operate an information helpline for your convenience.
以前：
This Summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed information contained in the Proxy Statement and the Appendices hereto，all of which should be carefully reviewed.
现在：
Because this is a summary，it does not contain all the information that may be important to you.You should read the entire proxy statement and its appendices carefully before you decide how to vote.
表示职业的词，使用中性词：
Fireman—fireperson is awkward，but firefighter is not
Policeman—policeperson sounds silly，but police officer sounds natural
Mailman—mailperson seems awkward，postal worker does not
Cleaning woman—house cleaner，office cleaner，custodian are all preferable
用好代词：
英语中有些句子不好处理，如Everyone must do his work.语法上正确，但属于性别歧视语言。此类问题有三种处理方法：
·使用their：Every officer must do their best.语法上虽然不正确，但语感上过得去。
·使用“his or her”：这种用法很安全，但不能总用，因为比较拗口。
·用复数代替单数：All officers must do their best.这种解决方法最好，但不是每个地方都适用。有时为了精确，必须使用单数。
所以，也许三种办法应结合使用。
在阅读否定句时，读者需要把它变为肯定句才容易理解，不如肯定句直截了当。有不少否定的意思可以用肯定的方式来表达：
not many=few
not the same=different
not different=alike/similar
did not=failed to
does not have=lacks
did not stay=left
A：It is not uncommon for applications to be rejected，so do not complain unless you are sure you have not completed yours incorrectly.
B：It is quite common for applications to be rejected，so complain only if you are sure you have completed yours correctly.
良好的文件设计包括：
·留有足够的空白。较宽的行距和较大的字体便于阅读。每行字符数量以50—70个为宜。
·避免全部使用大写字母和下画线。使用小写字母黑体或变换字体表示强调，不要使用全大写。全大写和下画线不利于阅读。全大写仅限于题目和标题。
·使用Times New Roman，Century Schoolbook，甚至Courier等字体。这些字体的字母带有小尾巴，易于辨认。
·最后，使用左对齐，不要使用两端对齐。缺乏变化使眼睛容易疲劳。
人物加动作原则是指把句子的主语留给动作的执行者，把谓语留给关键动作。 [5]
例如：
A：Our lack of knowledge about local conditions precluded determination of committee action effectiveness in fund allocation to those areas in greatest need of assistance.
如果要在剧中把这句话演出来，需要哪些人物或角色？需要“we”（从句子中的“our”可以推断出）；需要“the committee”（可能就是“we”）；需要“area”。可是，在本句中，这些人物出现在什么地方呢？our不是主语，而是lack的定语：our lack；committee不是主语，而是定语：committee action effectiveness；area不是主语，而是介词的宾语：to areas。这句话的主语是谁呢？是一个抽象名词：our lack of knowledge，后面跟着一个模糊的动词precluded。
我们看一看B句：
B：Because we knew nothing about local conditions，we could not determine how effectively the committee had allocated funds to areas that most needed assistance.
We是knew和could not determine的共同主语：
Because we knew nothing ...，we could not determine ...
The committee是动词had allocated的主语：
...the committee had allocated ...
虽然area仍然是介词宾语（to areas），它同时也是needed的主语：
areas that most needed assistance
再看两句中人物所执行的动作是如何表达的。在第一个句子中，动作不是由动词表示的，而是用抽象名词表示的：lack，knowledge，determination，action，allocation，assistance，need。在第二个句子中，动作都是由动词表示的：we knew nothing，we could not determine，the committee allocated，areas needed。只有一个动作仍由名词表示：assistance。
综上所述，A句没有把人物放在主语的位置，没有用动词表示关键的动作，从而违反了“人物加动作”的原则，而B句则把人物放在了主语的位置，用动词表示关键动作，因而符合“人物加动作”的原则。
需要指出的是，“人物”的种类很多。最重要的是动作的发出者（包括比喻性质的）：
Faculties of national eminence do not always teach well. Mayor Daley built Chicago into a giant among cities.
The White House announced today the President’s schedule. The business sector is cooperating.
Many instances of malignant tumors fail to seek attention.
有时，我们用动作执行者的“工具”，而不是动作执行者作句子的主语：
Studies of coal production reveal these figures.
These new data establish the need for more detailed analysis.This evidence proves my theory.
如果用真正的动作执行者，就是：
When we study coal production，we find these figures.
I have established through these new data that we must analyze the problem in more detail.
With this evidence I prove my theory.
但没有必要把“人物加动作”的原则绝对化。
符合“人物加动作”原则的句子，可以满足简明英语的数项要求，例如，信息流动更加通畅；被迫使用连接词，明确句子逻辑关系；使用了强势动词；句子必然变短；避免了被动语态；避免了介词短语的连用。分别举例如下：
信息流动更加通畅
A：The closure of the branch and the transfer of its business and non-unionized employees constituted an unfair labor practice because the purpose of obtaining an economic benefit by means of discouraging unionization motivated the closure and transfer.
B：The partners committed an unfair labor practice when they closed the branch and transferred its business and non-unionized employees in order to discourage unionization and thereby obtain an economic benefit.
在A句中，所有动作都由抽象名词表示，通过介词把名词串联起来，从而打乱了动作的先后顺序；而B句遵守了人物加动作的原则，更符合事物发展的逻辑顺序。
被迫使用连接词
在下例B中，由于人物加动作原则的使用，迫使我们通过连接词表示句子的逻辑关系，从而使意思更加清楚：
A：The more effective representation of needs by other agencies resulted in our failure in acquiring federal funds，despite intensive lobbying ef orts on our part.
B： Although we lobbied Congress intensively，we could not acquire federal funds because other interests presented their needs more effectively.
使用了强势动词
A：There has been affirmative decision for program termination.
B：The director decided to terminate the program.
避免了介词短语连用
A：An evaluation of the program by us will allow greater efficiency in service to clients .
B：We will evaluate the program so that we can serve clients better.
句子必然变短
实际上，句子长关系不大，关键是要符合人物加动作的原则。但遵守这一原则的必然结果是句子变短。请比较以下例句：
A：After Czar Alexander II’s emancipation of the Russian serfs in 1861，many now-free peasants chose to live on a commune for purposes of cooperation in agricultural production as well as for social stability.Despite some communes’ attempts at economic and social equalization through the strategy of imposing a low economic status on the peasants，which resulted in their reduction to near-poverty，a centuries-long history of important social distinctions even among serfs prevented social equalization.
B：In 1861，Czar Alexander II emancipated the Russian serfs.Many of them chose to live on agricultural communes.There they thought they could cooperate with one another in agricultural production.They could also create a stable social structure.The leaders of some of these communes tried to equalize the peasants economically and socially.As one strategy，they tried to impose on all a low economic status that reduced them to near-poverty.However，the communes failed to equalize them socially because even serfs had made important social distinctions among themselves for centuries.
C：After the Russian serfs were emancipated by Czar Alexander II in 1861，many chose to live on agricultural communes，hoping they could cooperate in working the land and establish a stable social structure.At first，those who led some of the communes tried to equalize the new peasants socially and economically by imposing on them all a low economic status，a strategy that reduced them to near-poverty.But the communes failed to equalize them socially because for centuries the serfs had observed among themselves important social distinctions.
应该澄清一点，清晰易懂并不要求把文章写成儿童读物（如B），而是让读者更容易读懂。我们可以使用某些技巧，如并列、从属等，把一连串过短、过于简单的句子变为更复杂、更成熟，但仍然易于读懂的句子（如C）。
以上简要介绍了简明英语的各项要求，并指出实施某些原则的手段。笔者尽量把有关联的一些原则归纳在一起，但各原则之间的交叉和重叠是无法避免的。如希望了解更详细的要求，请大家阅读后面所提供的参考文献。除了 Style：Toward Clarity and Grace 之外，其余均可以在网上获得。
本书的第四部分，将重点介绍一些翻译原则在翻译中的应用。对于某些直截了当的规则，不再举例说明。
〔参考资料〕
[1]Joseph M.Williams. Style：Toward Clarity and Grace ，The University of Chicago Press，1995.
[2]William Strunk，Jr. The Elements of Style ，New York，1918，available at： http：//www.bartleby.com/141/， accessed January 17，2012.
[3]European Commission. Fight the Fog：How to Write Clearly ， http：//ec.europa.eu/ translation/index_en.htm ，accessed January 17，2012.
[4]The Office of Investor Education and Assistance，U.S.Securities and Exchange Commission. A Plain English Handbook：How to create clear SEC disclosure documents ， http：//www.sec.gov/pdf/handbook.pdf， accessed January 17，2012.
[5] Canada. Clear Language for the Saskatchewan Government， h ttp：//www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/k/pecs/docs/clrlang.pdf， accessed September 2，2004.
[6]The Plain Language Action & Information Network，U.S.A. Writing User-Friendly Documents ， http：//www.fcs.uga.edu/noahnet/misc/plainlanguage.pdf， accessed January 17，2012.
[7]Office of the Federal Register，National Archives and Records Administration. Drafting Legal Documents ， http：//www.archives.gov/federal-register/write/legaldocs/ ，accessed January 17，2012.
[8]European Union. Writing for Translation： http：//cdt.europa.eu/EN/documentation/ Pages/Publications.aspx， accessed January 17，2012.
[9]Plain English Campaign，U.K. How to Write in Plain English ， http：//www.plainenglish.co.uk/files/howto.pdf， accessed January 17，2012.
[10]Geof rey Ashe. The Art of Writing ，Heinemann，1981.
[11]Ernest Gowers. The Complete Plain Words ，Penguin Books，1982.
[12]W.H.Hindle， Guide to Writing for the United Nations ，United Nations Publication，sales No.：65.I.24.
[1] http：//www.plainenglish.co.uk/introduction.html ，accessed September 2，2004.
[2] http：//www.detya.gov.au/archive/publications/plain_en/contents.htm， accessed September 2，2004.
[3] http：//www.gopdg.com/plainlanguage/whatisplain.html， accessed September 2，2004.
[4] http：//members.home.net.garbl/writing/plaineng.htm， accessed September 2，2004.
[5] “人物加动作”（character/action）的说法出自Joseph M.Williams， Style：Toward Clarity and Grace， University of Chicago Press，1995。