> My Notes from [Writing in plan English](https://www.linkedin.com/learning/writing-in-plain-english-23486639/) course at LinkedIn learning ## 🎯 Goal - Keep my writing SIMPLE, STUPID (but not simpler) - My posts reach the widest possible audience. ## 🤔 How ### 1. Use words - Use words that everyone can quickly read and easy to understand - Use shortest, simplest words you can. - Instead "We'll **facilitate** your order", write "We'll **help with** your order" - Instead "**Utilize** your contact form", write "**Use** your contact form" - Instead "**Disseminating** brochures", write "**Sending** brochures" - If you must use a technical terms, define it the first time you use to make sure readers understand. - Use strong verbs: direct, clear. - We made a decision delay the harvest => We **decided** to delay the harvest. - We did an investigation => We **investigated**. - We made an assumption => We **assumed**. - Use active voice proactively (this is one of [[6 quy tắc để viết tốt từ George Orwell]]) - Avoid **jargon** - > Jargon: industry-specific or technical terms - words that insiders know but the avg person doesn't - **Why**: to prevent confusion and build trust with clear and specific communication - If you need to use jargon, ask "Would someone outside my industry understand this term?". If they don't, you should add an explanation (or find alternative word). - Olive oil usually lasts at least a year after you open the bottle, but if it starts to have *a metallic, greasy, soapy, or musty taste* - known as **rancidity** - it's time to throw it away. - Examples: - Avoid **technobabble** - unnecessarily complex words - Minimize abbreviations - Eliminate vague words and expressions (be clear, convise, and specific in your word choice) - **Avoid Vague Words**: Words like "several," "few," "many," and "quickly" can be interpreted differently by different people. Be specific to avoid confusion. - **Be Clear and Specific**: Instead of using broad terms like "great" or "large," provide specific details to convey your message clearly. - **Avoid Unsupported Assumptions**: Phrases like "obviously" or "it stands to reason" can be unclear. Provide clear criteria and explanations. (Asks questions like Why? How? Why do we care? Obvious to whom?) - [[Tránh Lời nói sáo rỗng|Avoid cliches]] ### 2. Styles - Write as one-on-one conversation - Engage readers directly - Personalize instructions: make language personal and clear - Instead ❌ Customers should store olive oil in a cool, dark place => ✅Store your olive oil in a cool, dark play. - Instead ❌A zip code must be provided in the shipping address => ✅ Be sure to include your zip code in your shipping address. - Writing with Pronouns, benefits: - Build a connection with readers. - Making readers feel the info is truly for them. - Help readers pay attention the info. - Avoid filler phrases: ("~~there are~~", "~~It is~~") to make sentences more direct and engaging. - It is in the fall that olive are ready to harvest => **Olives are ready to harvest in the fall**. - Use the present tense for clarity - After you upload your recipe, you will be entered in the contest => **Upload your recipe to enter the contest**. - ### 3. Advanced tips - **Understand your audience**: Tailor your language based on your audience's knowledge level and needs. ### 4. Use short, simple sentences - **Keep sentences between 15-20 words**: Longer sentences can be harder to read and understand. - **Focus on one idea per sentence**: This helps to emphasize key points and makes your writing clearer. - **Keep subjects and verbs close together**: This makes sentences easier to read and understand. - **Use active voice**: It makes sentences shorter and clearer. **Examples** - The oil has a good flavor - The oil is crushed into a paste > [!Example]- Example: Longer vs shorter > **Long Sentence:** > "Making extra virgin olive oil, which is considered to be the highest quality and most flavorful type of olive oil, involves crushing olives into paste and then separating the oil from the other compounds using only mechanical means, without the use of chemicals or excessive heat." > > **Shorter Sentences:** > - "Extra virgin olive oil comes from crushing olives into paste." > - "The oil gets separated without using heat or chemicals." > - "This preserves the bold, fruity flavor." ## Examples > [!example]- Example 1 > > 👎 Some additional considerations to weigh when you're selecting an oil to accompany your cuisine include price and age. > > > 👍 **Better version**: You should also look at price and age when picking an oil to go with your meals > > Some simpler factors > - **Picking** is shorter than selecting. > - **Go with** is simpler than accompany. > - **Meals** is simpler than cuisine. > - **You should look** at is simpler than some additional considerations to weigh.