Interlude: Resistance, Plain Language, and Ableist Language
When I was in graduate school, my mentor would advise me to do a complicated experiment. Then he would say, "I know it's a lot of work" in a tone that suggested I was hesitant to do the work. But that's not my style. I'm not one to take the path of least resistance. I'm challenge-driven and will do whatever work is needed to produce the best result.
But I know that his tone was not a reflection on me. It was a reflection on other students he mentored. And he was not wrong in his approach.
Our brains are wired to take the path of least resistance to achieve what we want. And this cognitive ease principle, or the principle of least effort, influences every aspect of our lives, including our writing.
Many authors apply the cognitive ease principle to their writing in a way that creates a path of least resistance for the work they need to do to write. But they do not always think about creating a path of least resistance for the people who need to read their writing.
This shift in mindset can profoundly improve your writing. So, the next time you work on refining your draft, think about how you can create a path of least resistance for readers.
And now onto the good stuff...
💌 Round-up
🎉 Featured
Power Up Your LinkedIn Profile
I was thrilled to join Jenni Pickett of the AMWA Carolinas Chapter for a live interview on how I get the most out of LinkedIn. If you missed the live session, you can watch the recording to hear our conversation and learn how to improve your profile, customize your feed, and use Canva to create visuals.
👓 Reading
Examples Of Ableist Language You May Not Realize You’re Using
Ableist language—overt or subtle—can fuel stigma and bias. This article provides examples of ableist language that you might not realize you're using. And if you want a more comprehensive guide on ableist and other stigmatizing language, check out my Inclusive Language Course.
The international definition of plain language
"A communication is in plain language if its wording, structure, and design are so clear that the intended readers can easily find what they need, understand what they find, and use that information."
🖥️ Watching
Debunking the Oversimplification Myth: Making the Case for Plain Language
Many subject matter experts fear that plain language principles will oversimplify content and minimize the importance of the work. This video makes a case for using plain language for a wide range of audiences. I highly recommend that you watch the first 20 minutes.
📝 Challenge
This week, apply just one principle of plain language to everything you write. I recommend using shorter words and sentences, because these principles are two of the top drivers of readability.
Thank you so much for reading.
Warmly,
Crystal
