Rules for writers, Tenth edition - Diana Hacker, Nancy Sommers 2021
Avoid jargon, except in specialized writing situations
Choose appropriate language
Clarity
Jargon is special language used among members of a trade, discipline, or professional group. Sentences with jargon can be hard to read. Use jargon only when readers will be familiar with it and when plain English will not do as well.
JARGON |
We outsourced the work to an outfit in Ohio because we didn’t have the bandwidth to tackle it in-house. |
REVISED |
We hired a company in Ohio because we had too few employees to do the work. |
The following are common examples of jargon from business, government, higher education, and the military, with plain English alternatives in parentheses.
ameliorate (improve) |
optimal (best, most favorable) |
commence (begin) |
parameters (boundaries, limits) |
components (parts) |
peruse (read, look over) |
endeavor (try) |
prior to (before) |
facilitate (help) |
utilize (use) |
indicator (sign) |
viable (workable) |