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Clear Writing: Define the Purpose and Give Readers Useful Evidence

Summary

Learn to write clear explanations with a defined reader decision, concrete actions, relevant conditions, and a review process that catches missing information.

Published

Write the Information the Reader Needs to Decide

When writing is vague, revisit the purpose and intended decision rather than only replacing words. Clear facts and conditions make concrete wording possible.

Polite phrasing cannot substitute for an identifiable subject and action. Consider the reader’s knowledge and briefly explain unfamiliar terms.

Define the Purpose of the Piece

For a change notice, state the change, effective date, audience, and required action. Use headings to show the relationship between background and instructions.

W3C recommends headings that describe their content. (W3C: Writing for web accessibility) Readers should be able to identify the section’s subject from its heading.

Replace Vague Judgments with Actions and Conditions

Useful does not explain how. State the action and result, such as entering an event date that appears on the information page.

Before using fast or easy, check the timing or steps behind the claim. Without evidence, explain the actual process instead.

Review for Missing Information

Review pronoun references and missing dates or conditions. Asking a new reader to explain the content can reveal what did not come across.

Check destinations alongside the text on a public page. Keep update dates and stated conditions consistent with the offer.

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Frequently asked questions

Q: Should every term be defined?

A: Explain unfamiliar terms at first use without burdening familiar words with unnecessary definitions.

Q: Is shorter writing always better?

A: Remove repetition without omitting conditions. Assess understanding rather than length alone.

Q: How can I assess natural wording?

A: Read it aloud and check whether subjects and actions are concrete. Review strings of abstract terms.

Q: Should text be revised after publication?

A: Yes. Use questions and changed conditions to update it and retire outdated explanations.

Sources

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