SCULPT
Tips to keep your language easy to understand.
Why is this important?
Writing messages, learning material and other student communication in plain language is crucial to be efficient and effective. It involves writing with the reader in mind and using an appropriate tone, ensuring that your content is easily understood by a diverse audience. For an introduction to this topic try watching YouTube: Web Accessibility Perspectives: Understandable Content which you might find useful before you read the rest of this page.
Avoiding complex language, such as jargon, unexplained acronyms, and long words, is key to making information accessible and inclusive but also might be at odds in a university environment where our aim is to pass on complex knowledge and themes.
What can be useful is to find a middle ground, don’t shy away from complex language if it’s required but don’t use it when it’s not relevant to the understanding of the knowledge or problem you’re trying to get across.
Reader empathy
Writing in plain language means prioritising the reader. By tailoring your content to the audience, you create a communication style that is comprehensible to individuals of varying backgrounds and expertise levels.
Tone and language
Plain language not only emphasizes clarity but also focuses on adopting a tone that resonates with your audience. Striking the right tone makes your information relatable and engages the reader effectively.
Steer clear of hard-to-understand elements like jargon, unexplained acronyms, and lengthy words. Simplifying your language ensures that your content is accessible to a broad audience.
Keeping your language simple and straightforward is a hallmark of plain language. Aim for an low average reading age to maximize the accessibility of your information to as many users as possible.
How do I do it?
Creating content in plain language is an excercise in empathy – imagine your audience reading your content.
Consider your audience
Always have your audience in mind. Understand their background, knowledge level, and potential challenges they may face in understanding complex language.
Where possible eliminate jargon and acronyms
Identify and replace jargon and unexplained acronyms with clear and simple language. This ensures that your content remains accessible and easily digestible.
Use simple words
Opt for simple and familiar words over complex ones. This enhances clarity and ensures that your message is understood by a broader audience.