Writing in clear English

Published on: 10/03/2025 · Last updated on: 17/04/2026

What to do?

• Use shorter, direct sentences.
• Structure content with headings, paragraphs and lists.
• Explain specialist terms and expand acronyms on first use (for example, Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)).
• Avoid unnecessary jargon and complex sentence structures.
• Use images, video, audio or symbols to support meaning where appropriate.
• Avoid informal or ambiguous language.
• Use generative AI tools (for example, Microsoft Copilot) to help identify unclear or complex wording, and review outputs carefully.

Why do it?

Language in higher education can be complex due to subject‑specific terminology and academic conventions. While it is important to model academic writing, unnecessary complexity can create barriers for students. Writing clearly benefits everyone and is essential for digital accessibility.

This guidance explains how to make your writing clearer and remove avoidable obstacles.

Using clear, concise language helps users to focus on your content. It can:

• reduce cognitive load for users with dyslexia, dyspraxia and other processing differences
• make content easier to understand for users where English is not their first language
• improve readability and usability for everyone.

How can I spot these issues?

1. Plan your writing around key messages.
2. Proofread your work or ask a colleague, student or AI tool for feedback.
3. Use automated tools such as Microsoft Editor to check clarity and conciseness.

Additional resources

• Writing for Web Accessibility – W3C
• Plain English Campaign homepage and How to write in plain English guide (PDF)