How to Simplify Your Writing: 10 Actionable Techniques
Simple writing is not lazy writing. It takes more skill to explain complex ideas clearly than to hide behind jargon and long sentences. The best writers in the world write simply. Here is how you can too.
1. Use Short Sentences
Before: "The implementation of the new content strategy, which was developed over the course of several months by the marketing team, has resulted in a significant increase in organic traffic."
After: "The new content strategy increased organic traffic significantly. The marketing team developed it over several months."
Aim for an average sentence length under 20 words.
2. Choose Common Words
| Instead of | Write |
|---|---|
| Utilize | Use |
| Facilitate | Help |
| Implement | Start / Do |
| Subsequently | Then |
| Approximately | About |
| Demonstrate | Show |
3. Write in Active Voice
Passive: "The article was written by the freelancer."
Active: "The freelancer wrote the article."
Active voice is shorter, clearer, and more engaging.
4. Cut Filler Words
Remove words that add no meaning: "really," "very," "basically," "actually," "just," "that" (when unnecessary), "in order to" (use "to"). Every removed filler word tightens your prose.
5. One Idea Per Sentence
If a sentence contains two ideas connected by "and" or "but," consider splitting it into two sentences. Each sentence should communicate one clear thought.
6. Break Up Long Paragraphs
Online readers scan. Paragraphs longer than 3–4 sentences look like walls of text and get skipped. Break them up. White space is your friend.
7. Use Bullet Points & Lists
When you have three or more related items, use a list instead of embedding them in a paragraph. Lists are easier to scan and remember.
8. Explain Jargon
If you must use a technical term, define it immediately. "Your Flesch score (a measure of how easy your text is to read) should be above 60." Never assume your reader knows specialized vocabulary.
9. Read It Aloud
If you stumble while reading your text aloud, your readers will too. Awkward phrasing, overly long sentences, and unclear structure become obvious when spoken.
10. Check Your Readability Score
After simplifying, measure the result. A readability checker gives you an objective score and highlights where your writing is still too complex.
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