Business Writing Tips from The Writing Center
Avoid Jargon and Pompous Wording (2)
August 30, 2007
Define technical
terms and specialized vocabulary unless context and audience allow their
use.
Technical jargon is any wording that is used in a specialized situation.
For example, some of the wording used in the Finance Department of your
company may not be easily understood by someone in the Human Resources
Department -- and vice versa.
Some readers are fellow experts who speak your language. But some are
not. Whenever you write to someone outside your area of expertise,
define or "translate" technical jargon into simple, everyday language.
Ensuring that your reader understands your message allows you to build
rapport and reduce the time you spend answering questions.
To define unfamiliar words for your reader:
- Spell out acronyms and abbreviations on first use. For longer
documents, provide a glossary of terms.
The
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the new wrinkle cream for
over-the-counter sale.
-
Provide an explanation of function or a translation in parentheses.
Submit
Form 100 (the Company Budget Projection Form) to Chris Foster,
Operations Manager.
-
Provide concrete examples.
Clean
the monitor with a gentle cleanser such as a half-and-half mixture of
alcohol and distilled water.
-
Provide models, sample entries on forms, and other illustrations to
clarify your meaning.
This edition was adapted from our Effective
Business Writing Program. Previous editions
may be read at
http://www.uliveandlearn.com/newsletters/index.cfm.
To receive this free weekly newsletter via e-mail, go to
http://www.uliveandlearn.com/userjoin.cfm and select the newsletter option.
Return now to the Business
Communications Library
|
