Wiki source code of Words to avoid

Version 3.6 by Lizzie Bruce on 2019/12/11 19:02
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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 * **dyslexic users** –  clear, concise language is more helpful
10 * **users with low literacy** – who read text word by word
11 * **users with sight loss** – RNIB recommend using plain English
12 * **autistic users** – National Autistic Society advise against the use of jargon
13 )))
14
15 ==
16 Guidelines ==
17
18 Think about what you’re actually doing and describe that. Be open and specific.
19
20
21 [[1. Never use vague words and jargon.>>doc:||anchor="#1"]]
22
23 [[2. Avoid metaphors.>>doc:||anchor="#2"]]
24
25 [[3. Do not use Latin.>>doc:||anchor="#3"]]
26
27 [[Usability evidence>>doc:||anchor="#UEWA"]]
28
29 [[Tools>>doc:||anchor="T"]]
30
31
32 ----
33
34 ==
35 {{id name="#1"/}}1. Never use vague words and jargon. ==
36
37 Vague words mean nothing. They waste time and irritate users. They also limit understanding, and can make users trust your content less.
38
39 Jargon usually means something else. It causes confusion.
40
41
42 Examples:
43
44 * agenda (unless it’s for a meeting)
45 * advancing
46 * collaborate (use working with)
47 * combating
48 * commit/pledge (we need to be more specific – we’re either doing something or we’re not)
49 * countering
50 * deliver (pizzas, post and services are delivered – not abstract concepts like improvements or priorities)
51 * deploy (unless it’s military or software)
52 * dialogue (we speak to people)
53 * disincentivise (and incentivise)
54 * empower
55 * facilitate (instead, say something specific about how you’re helping)
56 * focusing
57 * foster (unless it’s children)
58 * impact (do not use this as a synonym for have an effect on, or influence)
59 * initiate
60 * key (unless it unlocks something. A subject/thing is not key – it’s probably important)
61 * land (as a verb only use if you’re talking about aircraft)
62 * leverage (unless in the financial sense)
63 * liaise
64 * overarching
65 * progress (as a verb – what are you actually doing?)
66 * promote (unless you’re talking about an ad campaign or some other marketing promotion)
67 * robust
68 * slimming down (processes do not diet)
69 * streamline
70 * strengthening (unless it’s strengthening bridges or other structures)
71 * tackling (unless it’s rugby, football or some other sport)
72 * transforming (what are you actually doing to change it?)
73 * utilise (use "use")
74
75
76 == {{id name="#2"/}}2. Avoid metaphors. ==
77
78 Avoid using metaphors. They do not say what you actually mean. This is likely to lead to slower comprehension of your content.
79
80
81 Examples:
82
83 * drive (you can only drive vehicles, not schemes or people)
84 * drive out (unless it’s cattle)
85 * going forward (it’s unlikely we are giving travel directions)
86 * in order to (superfluous – do not use it)
87 * ring fencing
88
89 == {{id name="#3"/}}3. Do not use Latin. ==
90
91
92 Examples:
93
94 * per annum – each year
95 * eg – for example
96 * ie – that is
97 * pro bono – for free
98
99 ----
100
101 == {{id name="#UEWA"/}}Usability evidence ==
102
103 [[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
104
105 [[Plain English and words to avoid>>url:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/content-design/writing-for-gov-uk#plain-english]], UK Government website
106
107 [['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
108
109 [['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
110
111 [['ASD Simplified Technical English'>>url:http://www.asd-ste100.org/]], Simplified Technical English, ASD-STE100, 2017
112
113 [[List of plain English words and phrases>>url:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_plain_English_words_and_phrases]], Wikipedia, last updated 2018
114
115
116 == {{id name="T"/}}Tools ==
117
118 [[Hemingway app tool>>url:http://www.hemingwayapp.com/]]
119
120 [[Readable.io tool>>url:https://app.readable.io/text/]]