When we send an email or a text, the typical internal question is “does this make sense?”
We look back through the words we’ve assembled and try to figure out whether we should expect the reader to accurately interpret our message.
The problem, however, is that we’re obviously biased. We know what we were trying to say, so as long as it’s close we give ourselves the benefit of the doubt and move on.
Bur what if we raised the standard?
Instead of checking to see if the reader can possibly interpret the message correctly, we seek to write a message that’s impossible to interpret incorrectly. We remove all ambiguity and write such that the only viable option is to read our writing as we intended.
It’s much tougher than it sounds, but it’s worth the effort.
How many useless clarifying emails could be saved? How many painful miscommunications could be avoided?
-Brandon
Brandon, I solved this exact problem 20 years ago. I write everything on a fifth grade level – it’s simple no miscommunication everybody gets it sad, but it works.
Good point, I agree that a simple approach and word choice works well.
It still takes some effort though, even using simple vocabulary. Dr. Seuss’s writing is simple, but it’s by no means easy to replicate what he did. There’s a skill and significant rewriting that goes into a short and effective message.