How do you edit for readability, ensuring complex topics or jargon-heavy material is accessible to a broader audience?

Editing for readability involves simplifying complex ideas, clarifying jargon, and ensuring the content flows smoothly. Here’s a step-by-step approach:

 

1. Know Your Audience

 

• Identify Reader Expertise: Determine the audience’s familiarity with the topic.

• Adjust Tone and Style: Use conversational language for general audiences or maintain some technical terms for specialists.

 

Example: Instead of “photoelectric effect,” say “how light can generate electricity,” if writing for a lay audience.

 

2. Simplify Sentence Structure

 

• Break long sentences into shorter ones.

• Use active voice for clarity and impact.

• Avoid nested clauses or overly complex grammar.

 

Before: “The framework, which was initially designed to optimize performance, was later adapted to accommodate user feedback.”

After: “The framework was first designed to optimize performance. Later, it was adapted based on user feedback.”

 

3. Replace or Explain Jargon

 

• Replace: Use plain language when possible.

• Explain: If a technical term is essential, define it briefly.

 

Before: “The solution leverages blockchain technology to enhance transaction immutability.”

After: “The solution uses blockchain, a secure digital ledger, to make transactions tamper-proof.”

 

4. Use Analogies and Examples

 

• Relate complex ideas to familiar concepts.

• Include concrete examples to illustrate abstract points.

 

Example: “Think of an algorithm as a recipe. Just like a recipe guides you step-by-step to prepare a dish, an algorithm directs a computer to solve a problem.”

 

5. Organize Content Logically

 

• Headings and Subheadings: Break text into sections for easy navigation.

• Bullet Points and Lists: Use lists to present information clearly.

• Transitions: Ensure smooth flow between ideas.

 

6. Focus on Readability Metrics

 

• Aim for shorter paragraphs (3–4 sentences each).

• Use common words where possible.

• Tools like Hemingway Editor or Flesch-Kincaid readability scores can guide adjustments.

 

7. Add Visual Aids

 

• Use diagrams, charts, or infographics to simplify data-heavy or abstract concepts.

• Include callouts or text boxes for key definitions.

 

8. Test and Revise

 

• Ask for Feedback: Share your work with someone unfamiliar with the topic to ensure clarity.

• Iterate: Revise sections where readers struggle.

 

9. Emphasize Key Points

 

• Highlight main ideas with bold text or summaries.

• Include a concise introduction and conclusion to reinforce critical takeaways.

 

10. Avoid Over-Simplification

 

• Balance clarity with accuracy.

• Retain essential details while removing unnecessary complexity.

 

By combining these strategies, you can make even the most challenging topics accessible without losing depth or nuance.

I am old school. I think the best way to edit is to read it out loud.  Sometimes you just need to stop typing and read it for the flow.

Modern day jargon has its place in some settings but the first thing I ask myself is -Who is the audience? Then - What is the message my client wants to convey? and then I look at the client and see if certain language/wording/phrase fits with his brand. For instance, if my client is a NYC fashion designer he may want certain catch phrases to appeal to his customer base while some of my cyber tech clients require technical writing, but it can become boring and stale. 

There is a balance, and we must always consider the reader first.

If you need to de-jargon jargon-filled text, it becomes a copywriting process of a new text. It highly depends on the audience or target group.

Most processes and jargon can be outlined in simpler terms if we do it chronologically and keep the logical flow. Considering, we can collaborate with the client or have extensive industry knowledge.

If the usual footnotes, brackets or other ways don’t work, start from scratch with an outline:

• What’s the document about?
• Who wrote it and for whom?
• What are the key points it conveys?
• Then explain the key points as you would to a child/newbie. Keep it simple. Try to incorporate real-world examples or analogies.
• The final step is to include our notes in the actual document.

Also, avoid passive voice, and use action verbs and bullet points/lists if needed. You can use tools like blablameter to check how understandable the text is.

Fist, it depends on the audience. If your audience is jargon-heavy the the content can be jargon-heavy without an impact. But if the audience requires something simplified, then organizing is the key for me. I always start with an outline of the document/material, just like we all did in grade-school. Once you have the outline set, the detail is filled in by the client. I usually work collaboratively with the client, having them explain processes to me and I will type them in out in plain/kitchen English so anyone can understand.