Your reader is not your enemy so don’t write in camouflage

Inez de Lambert | July 28, 2015

Your writing could be in camouflage

That report on your desk — is its purpose unclear? Would your readers wonder about its point? Is its structure illogical? Perhaps it has long sentences they have to read twice, and typos that make them doubt the writer’s attention to detail.

Any of these features make the meaning of your document difficult to see, like a soldier clad in Woodland Pattern DPM (that’s Disruptive Pattern Material).

Dazzle can be camouflaging

Or is it overwhelmed by the dazzle of ambiguous buzzwords? Do you recommend you facilitate the implementation of the capability building policy?

Or do you write in professional language? Legal, financial, and medical professionals often use language that is clear in their own circles. But their clients usually can’t understand that kind of language with its technical terms. They’re ‘blinded by science’ which undermines the very services those clients require.

You’re not in a war zone, so write in plain sight

Remember, writing is not combat. Your reader is not your enemy. You’re not writing to hide from them, but to send them a message. Write so they can see you and hear you. Put down your rifle, take off your battledress, and write in your reader’s language.

 

(Last updated: November 2024)