Resources

This page contains a number of informational and stylistic resources and links below that you may find helpful.

All FAQs, guides, and samples are provided as is by Council members and do not constitute the official policy of any U.S. Government entity. Links to external documents and sites do not constitute an endorsement by the Council or any other U.S. Government entity.

Style Guides
U.S. Government Style Manual 2008
GSA Correspondence Manual
Gregg Reference Manual
Survey of Federal Handbooks
Plain Language
The Plain Language Action and Information Network (PLAIN)
Federal Plain Language Guidelines
NIH Plain Language Online Training
EPA Plain Writing Initiative
Social Security Administration Plain Language Videos:

Drafting Correspondence
Guide for drafting correspondence.
Guide to using simple language.
Avoiding gobbledygook.
Sample Congressional correspondence (draft and final).
Another sample Congressional correspondence (draft and final).
Sample constituent correspondence (draft and final).
Writing FAQs
FAQ: capitalizing the word federal.
FAQ: compound words.
FAQ: using acronyms.
FAQ: avoiding the passive voice.
FAQ: using numerals.
FAQ: prepositions at the end of sentences.
FAQ: using personal pronouns effectively.
FAQ: common problem words.
FAQ: signature spacing.
FAQ: capitalization.
Council Documents
Council Directory
Surveys
Council survey on the Executive Secretariat Council meetings (2012).
Council survey on technology usage by members (2003).
Council survey on performance-based measures (2002).
USDA Executive Secretariat survey (2011).
Miscellaneous
Why Switching from Times New Roman to Garamond Won’t Save the Government Millions.
Ask a librarian.
Irradiation of mail.
Serve your country: USAjobs.