Clarity & Style
Avoid Jargon

Prefer common words to insider terms unless your audience shares them.

Last updated Mar 15, 2026

What it is

The practice of using plain, commonly understood language instead of specialized terminology, technical terms, or industry-specific vocabulary when communicating with general audiences. Effective jargon avoidance ensures that your message reaches the widest possible audience without sacrificing meaning.

Before & after

Before

“We will refactor the monolith to decouple bounded contexts.”

After

“We will split the big app into smaller parts that work independently.”

When you’ll use it

Client presentations where technical teams explain solutions to business stakeholders

All-hands meetings addressing diverse employee audiences with varying expertise levels

Sales presentations introducing complex products to non-technical decision-makers

Training sessions where experts need to onboard newcomers to the field

Pro tip

When to use this: Use whenever your audience includes people outside your specialty area, or when clarity and broad understanding are more important than technical precision. Swap specialized terms for familiar language or define them briefly.