Page:Federal Plain Language Guidelines.pdf/9



An important part of writing for your audience is addressing separate audiences separately. Many documents address more than one audience. Documents that mix material intended for different audiences may confuse readers. By addressing different audiences in the same place, you make it harder for each audience to find the material that applies to them. In regulations, this may make it difficult for each audience to comply with your agency's requirements.

The following example shows a regulation that treats each regulated group separately in its own subpart, rather than mixing all the groups together in the same subpart. For an example of a rule that does not address separate groups separately, see 5 CFR 1320 (http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/textidx?c=ecfr&rgn=div5&view=text&node=5:3.0.2.3.9&idno=5 ).

Title 40 — Protection of Environment

Chapter I — Environmental Protection Agency

Part 745 — Lead-Based Paint Poisoning Prevention In Certain Residential Structures

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Subpart E — Residential Property Renovation

(Firms renovating structures)

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Subpart F — Disclosure Of Known Lead-Based Paint And/Or Lead-Based Paint Hazards Upon Sale Or Lease Of Residential Property Federal Plain Language Guidelines, March 2011, Rev. 1, May 2011