Do I Make Myself Clear? Summary

"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough." Harold Evans explores this idea by teaching how clear communication builds understanding and reduces confusion.

1. The plague of unclear writing permeates modern media

The internet has led to an explosion of verbose and unclear content. Unlike print journalism, which demanded brevity due to space constraints, online platforms overflow with unnecessary jargon and filler. This trend makes it harder for readers to access the core message.

For instance, corporate press releases often use complex phrases that obscure meaning instead of clarifying purpose. Similarly, many news websites prioritize attention-grabbing headlines over quality, filling the content with redundant information. The lack of limitations on space allows for bloated language rather than concise storytelling.

This type of writing isn't just limited to online media. Academic papers, legal contracts, and even some television news rely on confusing structures, making content inaccessible for the average reader. Clear writing wasn't born from talent—it’s a skill anyone, even Shakespeare, can refine over time with practice.

Examples

• Facebook-hosted New Republic magazine’s decline into jargon like “cross-functional collaboration.”
• Financial Times describing its goals as “improving the efficacy of measurable learning outcomes.”
• Academic publications hiding simple truths behind dense technical words.

2. Writing structures and formulas: useful, but not ultimate solutions

Traditional sentence structures and formulas for readability are helpful tools but should not dominate your writing style. Instead of rigid adherence to rules, understanding when and how to be flexible creates better communication.

Popular readability indexes, like the Flesch Reading Ease Index, guide clarity by suggesting optimal word counts and sentence lengths. While these guidelines can improve clarity, they don't substitute creativity or context. A perfectly structured sentence isn’t effective if it doesn’t engage the reader.

Breaking conventions at the right time can make writing memorable. A short, unexpected exclamation like “Victory!” adds emphasis, while varying sentence structures keeps readers attentive. Rules form a foundation, but writers must prioritize the impact of their message.

Examples

• Flesch's formula identifying 18 words per sentence as optimal.
• A one-word concluding sentence like “Rejoice!” breaking monotony.
• Long, exhausting paragraphs making literary works unnecessarily convoluted.

3. The pitfalls of passive voice and front-loaded sentences

Passive voice weakens writing by making sentences wordy and lacking urgency. It’s often overused in corporate, legal, or academic contexts, reducing impact and clarity. An active voice keeps readers engaged by directly stating who performs an action.

Long-winded, front-loaded sentences also bog readers down. For example, listing 20 words before a message makes it hard to follow. Reversing such structures to state the main intent first makes content easier to read. Certain cases, like diplomacy or sensitivity, might require passive phrasing, but these are exceptions—not rules.

Effective writers prioritize clarity by trimming excess and presenting ideas in easily digestible formats. A clear thought expressed upfront saves time and enhances understanding for readers.

Examples

• Passive: "It was decided that the meeting would be on Monday." Active: "The meeting is Monday."
• Front-loading failure: "Due to ongoing delays and weather… delivering supplies proved impossible."
• Clear revision: "Delivering supplies was impossible due to delays and weather."

4. Avoid cluttering sentences with needless words

Clarity comes from trimming unnecessary words. Adverbs, flowery adjectives, and parasitical prepositions often distract readers from the main point. In straightforward writing, extra descriptors aren't required to express truths.

Stephen King famously criticized over-reliance on adverbs, arguing their redundancy. Similarly, “parasitical prepositions” like “up” or “out” add nothing of value. Why write “meet up” when "meet" suffices? Clarity also wanes with abstract nouns such as “issue” or “indication”—be specific instead.

By interrogating every sentence, writers can identify superfluous elements and cut them, ensuring each word carries meaning.

Examples

• Adverb bloat: "The price was exactly five dollars" versus "The price was five dollars."
• Parasitical prepositions: "test out the app" versus "test the app."
• Abstract nouns: Replace “regarding the issue” with “explaining the problem.”

5. Replace negatives with positives whenever possible

Negatives tend to cloud understanding. By flipping sentences to emphasize what is instead of what isn’t, writers can communicate effectively and avoid confusion. Negative constructions often add layers that dilute meaning.

Instead of saying “This option is not impossible,” simply state “This option is possible.” Such revisions reduce sentence length while improving clarity. Quick shifts like this eliminate ambiguity and keep the reader’s attention.

Positive statements also lend confidence and authority to writing. They encourage readers to engage with optimism rather than feeling overloaded with negation.

Examples

• Negative: “It’s unlikely fees won’t rise next year.” Positive: “Fees will likely rise next year.”
• Negative tone: “Not unaware of the danger” versus “Aware of the danger.”
• Positive focus simplifies explanations for greater engagement.

6. Eliminate zombie nouns and verbose language

Zombie nouns—verbs transformed into lifeless nouns—crowd sentences and dilute clarity. Words like "implementation" or "authorization" often lead to long-winded bureaucratic phrases. Flesh-eaters, excessive wordiness like “in the possession of” instead of “has,” harm understanding further.

These issues plague not only official documents but also creative works. By returning verbs to their original form, writers breathe life into their sentences. Similarly, avoiding clichés keeps writing engaging and fresh instead of stale and predictable.

Writing with simplicity doesn’t mean reducing sophistication. Reworking phrases adds life and impact to tired expressions.

Examples

• Zombie noun: "Documentation” restored to “document.”
• Flesh-eater: "Exists in the possession of” simplified to "has."
• Replace clichés like “last-ditch effort” with personalized expressions.

7. Clear language combats the misuse of words in politics

Misused language can twist reality. George Orwell’s concept of “Newspeak” illustrates how redefining words silences free thought and encourages manipulation. Modern examples include politicians coining terms that undermine facts, such as “alternative truths.”

Such distortions erode trust and sow confusion. By using exact terms and insisting upon clear definitions, writers have the power to fight against manipulated narratives. Precision in writing supports honesty and cuts through attempts to alter or hide reality.

Examples

• Donald Trump calling a moderate victory a "landslide."
• Hannah Arendt warning of the "political lie" used to create fictional narratives.
• Political phrases like “death panels” confusing real healthcare debates.

8. Bad writing has real-world consequences

Obfuscating language isn’t just an annoyance—it has financial and social costs. The 2007 financial crisis saw banks using dense, impenetrable jargon in financial instruments like CDOs to confuse both buyers and regulators. The result? Economic collapse.

Similarly, politicians use muddled answers to delay taking a firm position on policies. This lack of transparency can slow progress or mislead audiences. Misleading language creates divisions and prevents constructive dialogue.

Clear communication ensures accountability. An informed public, equipped with clear writing, can better understand policy and demand necessary change.

Examples

• Collateralized Debt Obligation (CDO) documents designed to confuse buyers.
• Political jargon delaying voters' stances on healthcare bills like the Affordable Care Act.
• Oil companies framing environmental science in ways that obscure harmful practices.

9. Writing shapes perception and determines influence

Language influences how people view ideas, events, and each other. Misused words or unclear phrasing control narratives, while concise writing empowers readers with knowledge. Whether in journalism, academia, or conversations, clarity remains the most effective tool for connection.

The deliberate manipulation of language affects everything from financial markets to public discussions on climate change. Good writing serves as an antidote to misinformation. Everyone has a role to play in prioritizing honest and straightforward messages.

Actively caring about the words we use ensures their meaning persists against deliberate obfuscation.

Examples

• Misleading words like “clean coal” obscuring ecological impacts.
• Precise word choice preventing misinterpretations of critical reports.
• Authors explaining policies without overwhelming audiences.

Takeaways

1. Edit relentlessly—question every word to ensure it adds real value to your sentence.
2. Stay aware of manipulative language in media and politics, and counter it with clarity whenever possible.
3. Use varied sentence styles and structures to maintain reader interest and convey your point effectively.