“WHY DOES IT HAVE TO BE SO COMPLICATED?”

             

                                 Why Authors Simplify Their Words to Reach a Broader Audience

 

 

When you pick up a book, an article, or a blog post, you’re not usually hoping to decode a puzzle of unfamiliar words. You want to understand—and more importantly, to connect. That’s exactly why many authors choose to simplify their language: because communication is most powerful when it’s clear, accessible, and universal.

 

The Importance of Using Words All Can Understand

 

Language is meant to be a bridge, not a barrier. When authors pack their writing with jargon, overly academic terms, or long-winded phrases, they risk shutting people out. Readers may feel excluded or overwhelmed—and once that happens, the message is lost.

 

On the other hand, when writers choose words that everyone can understand, they open the door wide. A simple sentence can carry just as much weight, emotion, and power as a complex one—sometimes even more. The point of writing isn’t to prove how big a vocabulary someone has; it’s to make an idea land.

 

Why Simplicity Works

      1.   It builds trust. Readers are likelier to stick with writing that feels like a conversation rather than a lecture.

      2.   It’s inclusive. Clear language ensures people from different backgrounds, ages, or education levels can still share the experience.

      3.   It makes ideas memorable. People remember short, sharp, everyday words more than dense technical ones.

      4.   It creates impact. Think of some of history’s most famous speeches—they’re powerful because they’re plainspoken, not because they’re complicated.

 

Writing for Connection, Not Confusion

 

Every author should ask the question, “Do I want to impress, or do I want to connect?” Impressing someone with a complicated vocabulary might spark admiration, but connecting with someone through clear words creates understanding, empathy, and loyalty.

 

So the next time you’re writing—whether it’s a story, an essay, or even a quick email—pause and ask yourself: “Does it really have to be so complicated?”

 

Because the truth is, the strongest writing isn’t the hardest to read. It’s the kind that welcomes everyone in.