Here are the highlights from an Editors BC presentation and discussion on March 19, 2025, with guests Lana Okerlund and Rowena Rae, partners of West Coast Editorial Associates (WCEA). Lana and Rowena are active members of Plain Language Association International (PLAIN), Plain Canada, the Center for Plain Language, Clarity, and Editors Canada.
Learn more below about adding plain language services to your editing business. You’ll also find some helpful resources.
Continue readingWhen: March 19, 2025, 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm PST
Where: Online through Zoom
Cost: Free for Editors Canada members, $10 for non-members, $5 for student non-members
For the past few years, plain language has been gaining momentum. Standards bodies like Editors Canada are publishing guidelines based on a growing mass of evidence about how people read and process information. Readers are increasingly demanding the right to understand the material they need for various purposes. Communicators are seeing the benefits of using plain language to reach their target audiences. And organizations of all kinds are looking for more plain language support.
Continue readingWritten by Jane Kuang | Copyedited by Dana Sorensen
I was born and raised in a small city where English education was not advanced at that time. My curiosity about the English language and my struggle to break through my language limitations led me to attend the Plain Language and Editing programs at Simon Fraser University. The sense of vulnerability and the disquieting dependence on others for support bothered me for a long time until I learned to face my limits with grace and improve within my capacity.
Now, as an emerging editor who worked as a paralegal in litigation for a decade, I have witnessed firsthand the communication barriers that arise from differences in language and culture.
Continue readingWhen: Wednesday, October 16, 2024, 7:00–8:00 pm PST
Where: Online through Zoom
Cost: Free for Editors Canada members, $10 for non-members, $5 for student non-members
A discussion with Federation of British Columbia Writers executive director Bryan Mortensen and Editors BC branch chair Tara Avery.
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What: Editors BC monthly meeting
When: Wednesday, November 18, 2020, 7:30–8:30 pm
Where: Online through Zoom
Cost: Free for Editors BC members, non-members, and students.
Analyzing and editing documents for usability, clarity, and accessibility is an essential part of an editor’s job. Being familiar with Plain Language Principles and understanding graphic design principles that affect readability will enhance your editing skills.
What: Editors BC professional development seminar
When: Saturday, October 26, 2019, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Room 840, 8th floor, BCIT Downtown Campus, 555 Seymour Street, Vancouver | map
Cost: $165 for Editors Canada members ($135 early bird), $230 for non-members ($200 early bird), and $100 for student affiliates. Advance registration required. Registration closes October 22; early-bird rates are in effect through October 9.
Being able to convey information clearly and succinctly is an essential skill for editors, especially those who work on documents for the public. In legal, medical, and emergency situations, having clear communication may be a matter of life or death.
Written by Carl Rosenberg; copy edited by Kristin Lathrop
On Saturday, February 23, Editors BC presents Frances Peck’s seminar, “Getting the Message Across: Clear Writing Tips.” So if you want to improve your ability to quickly convey a clear message to your audience, you’re in luck.
The ability to be concise when dealing with reports, briefings, emails, or any other documents is crucial for an audience to get your message. But too often that message gets buried by weak organization, unnecessary detail, abstract language, and other barriers to readability.
Whether you’re a writer or an editor, this seminar will show you how to create documents that meet readers’ needs and get the message across. Topics include writing faster and better (a four-step process); understanding what your readers want (and don’t want); highlighting your key messages; making ideas flow; and eliminating wordiness, abstractions, and jargon. (See the registration page for more details.)
Frances Peck, a partner with West Coast Editorial Associates, is a writer and Certified Professional Editor (Hon.) who specializes in editing and rewriting for clarity. She has taught for the University of Ottawa, Douglas College, SFU, UBC, Editors Canada, and many public and private sector organizations. Frances wrote Peck’s English Pointers, a free collection of articles and quizzes available on the Language Portal of Canada, and is a co-author of the HyperGrammar website.
Carl Rosenberg, a volunteer on Editors BC’s communications and social media committee, spoke to Frances about her work on writing.
Continue readingby Connie Behl
Editors BC is pleased to present Peter Moskos and his workshop Plain Language: The Basics, which explores the purpose and key techniques of plain language. The workshop will be held in Vancouver on February 24 and in Victoria on May 14, with the Victoria workshop put on in conjunction with the Professional Editors Association of Vancouver Island.
Peter is a writer and editor who specializes in plain language. He has a passion for simplifying complex documents and making them clear and easy to follow. He has written and edited reports to Parliament, technical reports, manuals, student handbooks, training materials, speeches, legislation, marketing materials, and advertising brochures. Now based in Vancouver, Peter is retired but continues to offer courses in plain language and in how to build a writing and editing business.
Peter played a formative role in the development of Editors Canada’s certification program and for his contribution was designated an Honorary Certified Professional Editor. In the past, Peter taught in Douglas College’s Print Futures program and was an online instructor for Ryerson University’s Diploma in Publishing.
Connie Behl, a member of Editors BC’s professional development committee, recently interviewed Peter about his journey from teacher to editor, his perspectives on plain language, and challenging plain language work he’s faced.
by Amy Haagsma
Review of Communication Convergence (co-organized by EAC-BC; held on October 5, 2014)
“Communication convergence: The tendency for different communication fields over time to apply a common range of methods.” – Dr. Neil James
On October 5, EAC-BC participated in a new event, Communication Convergence, focused on clear communication and the importance of using plain language. It was held in conjunction with and in celebration of International Plain Language Day, which is recognized annually on October 13. This year’s theme was “Working Together to Promote Clear Communication.” With this in mind, Communication Convergence aimed to bring together different organizations with a focus on communication.
Couldn’t attend EAC-BC’s March 20, 2013, presentation on plain language certification? Listen to the audio recording.
Couldn’t attend EAC-BC’s March 20, 2013, presentation on plain language certification? The presentation was given by Katherine McManus, director of the Writing and Communications Program at Simon Fraser University and the only Canadian member of the International Consortium for Clear Communication (IC Clear).
Katherine discussed the program’s goals and time lines as well as what the new certificate will mean for editors. She also talked about the latest on this year’s PLAIN (Plain Language Association International) conference, coming to Vancouver October 10–13, 2103, where IC Clear hopes to launch its first pilot course.
Listen to audio recording (EAC log-in identity and password required).
