Wiki source code of Words to avoid

Version 2.3 by Lizzie Bruce on 2019/05/21 10:25
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1 (% class="box" %)
2 (((
3 Following this helps:
4
5 * **people in a hurry** – straightforward words are easier to scan and absorb
6 * **people who are stressed** – jargon and metaphor will be hard to understand
7 * **people who are multi-tasking** – no time to decipher complex language
8 * **cognitive impairments** – words with simple meaning carry less cognitive load
9 )))
10
11 ==
12 Guidelines ==
13
14 Think about what you’re actually doing and describe that. Be open and specific.
15
16
17 [[1. Never use vague words and jargon.>>doc:||anchor="#1"]]
18
19 [[2. Avoid metaphors.>>doc:||anchor="#2"]]
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21 [[3. Do not use Latin.>>doc:||anchor="#3"]]
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23 [[Usability evidence>>doc:||anchor="#UEWA"]]
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25 [[Tools>>doc:||anchor="T"]]
26
27
28 ----
29
30 ==
31 {{id name="#1"/}}1. Never use vague words and jargon. ==
32
33 Vague words mean nothing. They waste time or irritate users.
34
35 Jargon usually means something else. It causes confusion.
36
37 Examples:
38
39
40 * agenda (unless it’s for a meeting)
41 * advancing
42 * collaborate (use working with)
43 * combating
44 * commit/pledge (we need to be more specific – we’re either doing something or we’re not)
45 * countering
46 * deliver (pizzas, post and services are delivered – not abstract concepts like improvements or priorities)
47 * deploy (unless it’s military or software)
48 * dialogue (we speak to people)
49 * disincentivise (and incentivise)
50 * empower
51 * facilitate (instead, say something specific about how you’re helping)
52 * focusing
53 * foster (unless it’s children)
54 * impact (do not use this as a synonym for have an effect on, or influence)
55 * initiate
56 * key (unless it unlocks something. A subject/thing is not key – it’s probably important)
57 * land (as a verb only use if you’re talking about aircraft)
58 * leverage (unless in the financial sense)
59 * liaise
60 * overarching
61 * progress (as a verb – what are you actually doing?)
62 * promote (unless you’re talking about an ad campaign or some other marketing promotion)
63 * robust
64 * slimming down (processes do not diet)
65 * streamline
66 * strengthening (unless it’s strengthening bridges or other structures)
67 * tackling (unless it’s rugby, football or some other sport)
68 * transforming (what are you actually doing to change it?)
69 * utilise (use "use")
70
71
72 == {{id name="#2"/}}2. Avoid metaphors. ==
73
74 Avoid using metaphors. They do not say what you actually mean. This is likely to lead to slower comprehension of your content.
75
76
77 Examples:
78
79 * drive (you can only drive vehicles, not schemes or people)
80 * drive out (unless it’s cattle)
81 * going forward (it’s unlikely we are giving travel directions)
82 * in order to (superfluous – do not use it)
83 * ring fencing
84
85 == {{id name="#3"/}}3. Do not use Latin. ==
86
87
88 Examples:
89
90 * per annum – each year
91 * eg – for example
92 * ie – that is
93 * pro bono – for free
94
95 ----
96
97 == {{id name="#UEWA"/}}Usability evidence ==
98
99 [[GOV.UK Style guide A to Z>>url:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/style-guide/a-to-z-of-gov-uk-style#words-to-avoid]], UK Government website
100
101 [[Plain English and words to avoid>>url:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/content-design/writing-for-gov-uk#plain-english]], UK Government website
102
103 [['Jargon in Technical Writing'>>url:http://wssa.net/wp-content/uploads/Jargon-in-Technical-Writing.pdf]], J. H. Dawson, ARS, Prosser, WA 99350, Weed Technology, 1989, Volumne 3:540 2008
104
105 [['The Basic Spelling Vocabulary List'>>url:http://www.readingrockets.org/article/basic-spelling-vocabulary-list]], Steve Graham, Karen R. Harris, Connie Loynachan, Reading Rockets, 2013
106
107 [['ASD Simplified Technical English'>>url:http://www.asd-ste100.org/]], Simplified Technical English, ASD-STE100, 2017
108
109 [[List of plain English words and phrases>>url:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_plain_English_words_and_phrases]], Wikipedia, last updated 2018
110
111
112 == {{id name="T"/}}Tools ==
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114 [[Hemingway app tool>>url:http://www.hemingwayapp.com/]]
115
116 [[Readable.io tool>>url:https://app.readable.io/text/]]