Avoid jargon, specialist terms and shortened forms (such as acronyms), unless you know your target audience will be familiar with them. Use a short word instead of a long one.
Exercise 1
Circle the common, everyday words in the following list.
- administer
- aim
- change
- competency
- enough
- main
- procure
- reflect
- start
- subsequent
Exercise 2
Circle the uncommon words in the following list. Suggest common, everyday words to replace them.
- acquire
- agree
- approximately
- before
- constrain
- methodology
- mitigate
- name
- search
- staff
- administer
Exercise 3
Circle the uncommon words in the in the following sentences.
- Government in Australia is secular.
- Young children can become entangled in curtain and blind cords.
- The objective of the newsletters is to facilitate communication between the Local Diabetes Service Development projects.
- The Graduate School of Business offers a suite of business programs.
- You need to demonstrate that you have knowledge equivalent to the subjects specified below.
Exercise 4
Rewrite the following sentences using common, everyday words.
- In 2003 the Parliament made fundamental and extensive amendments to the Local Government Act 1989.
- An applicant whose English language skills are found to be below the necessary standard may be required to undertake a remedial language couse conducted in the University concurrently with their undergraduate course, or may have their provisional offer withdrawn.
- Commercial premises are permitted to participate in the kerbside collection service. For additional bin requirements, the business is to liaise with a commercial contractor directly to organise.
- If your pet becomes lost the microchip implanted in the animal enables easy identification and provides relevant contact details to ensure the safe return of your animal.
- You will need to verify which building you are to attend through the Daily List.
See: exercise solutions