Prompt library Civil servants, Introductory, Across government, Translation
Rewrite official text in plain language
Turn a notification, form or letter into plain English that a citizen can understand, without changing the meaning.
Last reviewed: . Reviewer: Muhammad Asadullah.
Before you paste anything: replace names, CNIC numbers and other personal details with placeholders and never use classified material. Use only AI tools your department allows.
When to use it
Official English can be hard for citizens to follow. Use this to prepare a plain-language version of a notice, a form's instructions or a standard letter.
The prompt
Rewrite the official text below in plain English for members of the public in Pakistan.
[Paste the official text]
Rules:
- Keep the meaning exactly the same. Do not add, remove or soften any requirement, deadline or condition.
- Use short sentences and common words. Explain any term that cannot be avoided.
- Put what the reader must do first, then the details.
- Use "you" for the reader.
- Keep all dates, amounts and document names exactly as written.
After the rewrite, list any sentence in the original whose meaning you were not sure of.How to fill it in
- For a version in Urdu, run the English to Urdu prompt on the plain-language result. Simple English translates far better than official English.
- Say who the readers are if it matters: "for farmers", "for students applying for a scholarship".
Before you use the result
- Compare it with the original line by line. Check that no requirement has been dropped or weakened.
- Ask someone outside your office to read it. If they cannot tell you what to do, it is not plain enough yet.
- The official text stays the legal version. Say so on the plain-language copy if it will be published.
Related module: Translation and plain language.