Don’t Let Your Writing Give Any Reader a Headache
3 simple tips: avoid jargon, long words, and unnecessary words
Don’t let your writing give the reader a headache. Avoid the pitfalls of boring, clichéd words, vague and overused abstractions, and technical jargon.
Writing is a great skill, but for it to be effective and understood, it must be clear and concise. Be mindful of your vocabulary as you write and don’t let your writing give the reader a headache.
Don’t use words that are overly complicated, specialized, or unfamiliar. Use words that your reader knows.
There’s nothing more frustrating than spending time reading something complicated, wordy, and confusing. If a reader is confused, they won’t finish reading your writing. If they’re frustrated and annoyed, they’ll stop reading immediately and maybe suggest to someone to avoid your work.
If your readers are spending too much time trying to figure out what you mean, it means you need to either revise your writing or make it easier to read and understand. You want your writing to flow without distraction or interruption.
Tip #1 — Don’t use jargon
Unless you’re convinced the reader is going to understand what you’re saying, avoid jargon altogether.
