Skip to main content
This is the USCIS preview website. Visit uscis.gov for the official USCIS site.
USCIS Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government    Here's how you know
Español
Multilingual Resources
Official Government Website

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure Website

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( A locked padlock ) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Seal, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
 
Sign In  
Access USCIS online services.
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
Sign In
Create Account
Horizontal Menu
  • Topics
  • Forms
  • Newsroom
  • Citizenship
  • Green Card
  • Laws
  • Tools
  • Contact us
  • Multilingual Resources
  • Ask Emma
Main navigation
Skip to main content
  • About Us
    • Mission and Core Values
      • What We Do
    • Organization
      • Leadership
      • Directorates and Program Offices
        • Administrative Appeals Office (AAO)
        • Office of Performance and Quality
        • External Affairs Directorate
        • Field Operations Directorate
        • Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate
        • Immigration Records and Identity Services Directorate
        • Management Directorate
        • Office of Equal Opportunity and Inclusion
        • Office of Investigations
        • Office of Privacy
        • Office of the Chief Counsel
        • Office of the Executive Secretariat
        • Refugee, Asylum, and International Operations Directorate
        • Service Center Operations Directorate
    • Our History
      • History Office and Library
        • About the History Office
        • Featured Stories from the USCIS History Office and Library
        • History Office Webinars
        • Historical Library
        • Research Guides
      • Commissioners and Directors
      • Overview of Agency History
    • Find a USCIS Office
      • Field Offices
      • USCIS Facilities Dedicated to the Memory of Immigrant Medal of Honor Recipients
      • USCIS Office Closings
      • If You Feel Sick, Do Not Come to Your USCIS Appointment; Please Cancel and Reschedule It
      • International Offices
        • Beijing
        • Guangzhou
        • Guatemala City
        • Mexico City
        • Nairobi
        • New Delhi
        • San Salvador
    • Budget, Planning and Performance
    • Contact Us
      • USCIS Contact Center
    • Disability Accommodations for the Public
    • Careers
      • Career Opportunities
      • How to Apply
      • Special Hiring Programs
      • Benefits
      • Training
    • New Employee Information and Forms
    • Equal Employment Opportunity
      • No FEAR Act
      • USCIS Notification of Violation
      • How Do I File An Equal Employment Opportunity Complaint?
    • USCIS Contracting
      • USCIS Contracting Opportunities
      • Vendor Engagement
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. About Us
  3. USCIS Plain Language

USCIS Plain Language

USCIS is dedicated to improving how we communicate with the public. We support the Plain Writing Act of 2010 and have an internal plain language program. We created several writing tips videos to help our employees improve the clarity of USCIS communications. Other federal agencies may use these videos to help train employees as well.

Acronyms

Don’t leave your readers drowning in alphabet soup.

USCIS Plain Language: Acronyms

Active Voice

Don’t hide who or what is doing the action in a sentence.

USCIS Plain Language: Active Voice

Bullets

Break information into easy to read lists.

USCIS Plain Language: Bullets

Pronouns

Use pronouns to speak directly to your reader.

USCIS Plain Language: Pronouns

Proofreading

Take the time to catch mistakes before publishing your document.

USCIS Plain Language: Proofreading

Put Your Main Message First

Lead with what’s important to your reader.

USCIS Plain Language: Put Your Main Message First

Tables

Make complex information easier to follow.

USCIS Plain Language: Tables
 
Last Reviewed/Updated:
11/13/2019
Was this page helpful?
0 / 2000
To protect your privacy, please do not include any personal information in your feedback. Review our Privacy Policy.
Return to top
  • Topics
  • Forms
  • Newsroom
  • Citizenship
  • Green Card
  • Laws
  • Tools
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Seal, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
LinkedIn
Email
Contact USCIS
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Seal

USCIS.gov

An official website of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Important links
  • About USCIS
  • Accessibility
  • Budget and Performance
  • DHS Components
  • Freedom of Information Act
  • No FEAR Act Data
  • Privacy and Legal Disclaimers
  • Site Map
  • Office of the Inspector General
  • The White House
  • USA.gov
Looking for U.S. government information and services?
Visit USA.gov