In general, online audiences are pretty good at following directions. Giving clear instructions is the easiest way to ensure that the reader knows where to go or what to do next. When writing for the web, it’s your job to help people get the information they need to take the next step. It means planning ahead, knowing your audience, and making no assumptions. Finding the simplest way to communicate with someone does not mean being simple. Writing in plain English is not dumbing down the content. For example, if you’re writing to an audience of tech-savvy folks, using some technical terms may be appropriate. Some jargon is okay if it fits the context and makes sense for the reader. Most websites have a broad audience, so it’s a good idea to use everyday language and avoid jargon like buzzwords and acronyms. This might seem obvious, but use words that make sense to your reader. Writing for the reader in a language they can understand and relate to is one of the key principles of writing in plain English. They allow you to focus on the reader and sound more friendly, helpful, and human. You are only ever writing for one person, so be conversational and say, “ You can do this…” or, “ Your information is….” Remember, plain English is about communicating clearly. Don’t refer to them as ‘customers’ or your ‘audience,’ and please, I beg of you, don’t call them ‘users.’ If you’re writing on behalf of an organization, say, “ We do this…” or, “ Our product does that….” Use the company name if you feel it’s more appropriate, but it won’t be necessary most of the time. While passive voice hides the doer, active voice is more clear and direct, which makes for more engaged readers! Image Source 3. They make your writing clearer, conversational, and more engaging. However, for the most part, you’ll want to write using active verbs. Sometimes you don’t know who or what the subject of a sentence is, and sometimes a passive verb might be more appropriate. Should you always avoid the passive voice? No, not really. If you ever need to reduce your word count, hunt down your passive verbs and make them active. The passive version also needs two extra words for it to make sense. It’s not how we would describe what is happening if we said it out loud. Here’s a passive version of the same sentence: The mat (object) was sat on (verb) by the cat (subject). The subject comes before the verb, so the reader knows what the subject (the cat) is doing (sitting) before we say where (on the mat). The cat (subject) sat on (verb) the mat (object). Sentences that include active verbs are pieced together in a specific way. Passive verbs can make sentences confusing, ambiguous, and, I’m afraid to say, rather dull. Active verbs make your sentences direct, dynamic, and easy to read. Vary the length of your sentences to create rhythm in your writing. However, most sentences can be sliced and diced in some way or another. That might sometimes sound ambitious, and, of course, some concepts are trickier to explain than others. That might mean writing a slightly longer sentence here and there, but that’s fine if the paragraph reads better and clarifies the meaning.Ī good rule of thumb is to aim for one point or idea per sentence. Short is better, but your writing needs to flow. It’s as simple as that.Īim for 15–20 words, but be sure to mix it up because good writing of any kind relies on rhythm. So how do you do it? Here are 10 tips for writing effectively in a clear, concise way. Most importantly, you are much more likely to get your message across. Once you get the hang of it, plain English is faster to write and easier to read. Looking for ways to improve your writing skills? Use these 10 basic principles of effective writing to get started. Writing in plain English is about understanding who your reader is and what they want then writing in a way that speaks to them clearly and concisely. It’s not about simplifying your work or heavy-handed editing. Writing in plain English can help with that.
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