ATLANTA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Labrador, a global communication firm specializing in regulated disclosure documents, releases study in partnership with BVA Group, a fast-growing research and consulting firm and expert in behavioral science, proving 72% of readers prefer plain language in disclosure documents.

The Effectiveness of Plain Language Proven by Data shows through statistical proof, on a large scale, the value of plain language. Conducted via online surveys of 503 Americans aged 18 and above between March 6 and March 12, 2020, the study proves rewriting typical corporate disclosure communications in plain language benefits the reader, allowing them to understand and remember the text more easily. In addition, a clearer, more effective message generates the audience’s trust in the author.

The first of its kind, the Labrador and BVA Group study examines subjects’ feelings while reading a corporate disclosure document, resulting in an indisputable result – text written in plain language is subjectively more pleasant to read. Moreover, four distinct benefits are found when writing in “plain language”:

1. Fast Reading. With fewer words and shorter sentences, 60% of subjects took less than 30 seconds to read a 100-word paragraph in plain language, which is nearly 50% better than a traditional non-plain text.
2. Quick Understanding. Readers are 38% more likely to understand text written in plain language. By combining efficiency and clarity, reading speed does not hinder comprehension.
3. Better Message Retention. The number of readers who memorized and retained key information in plain language text increased by 41%.
4. Clarity Creates Preference. Unlike the first three benefits, preference directly profits the author. Sixty-four percent of readers perceived plain language text as well-written, and 34% are more likely to say the text is well-organized, resulting in more inclination to accept and appreciate the message conveyed.

“The financial and environmental impacts of plain language are huge when applied to billions of words read each day by billions of people in the course of their professional activities – both online and offline,” says Pierre Lebreton, director Labrador language services and chief business development officer at Labrador. “The study infers what we’ve always known, clear and transparent corporate disclosure generates a valuable but intangible asset with shareholders – trust. This should encourage all companies to adopt this simple but very effective writing method for their corporate communication.”

Plain language delivers the advantages of efficiency, clarity and comprehension by making documents more inviting and easier to read. To request a copy of the full study, visit: https://www.labrador-company.com/bva-study-request/.

ABOUT LABRADOR

After eight years in the US and two decades in Europe, Labrador’s mission remains the same: to design and publish reader-centric documents that generate trust with shareholders, reinforcing their investment decisions. Focusing exclusively on corporate disclosure documents, and with 300 clients worldwide, we have unique insight into industry trends and best practices. Labrador brings together more than 40 business experts, structured around a research laboratory and two agencies: Labrador Information Design (which concentrates on regulated communication and readability) and Labrador Language Services (which concentrates on plain language and translation). Labrador Maverick, our corporate information research laboratory, collects, tests, and shares the knowledge and innovations that create sustainable value for regulated and sensitive business information. Together, we spark award-winning innovation and initiatives.

For further information on Labrador, please visit www.labrador-company.com or connect with them on LinkedIn or Twitter.