Reading time: About 3 minutes
There’s a big difference between simple and simplistic. Is your writing too simple? Probably not…
I’m guessing you’d be unhappy if someone called your writing “dumbed down.”
Yup, that’s an insult. The word “dumb” is the clue.
But what if someone described your writing as “clear and easy to read”? I’m guessing you wouldn’t find that insulting. You might even frame the email and hang it on your wall.
So, the devil is in the details.
Some things you do will make your writing sparkle with clarity. And other things you do will make it look dumb as a bag of hammers (thanks for teaching me that expression, Mom!).
Let’s begin by looking at what simple actually means.
Simple does not mean simplistic. Instead, it means clear, direct and accessible. It does not mean you’re writing for a group of grade 3 students, nor does it even mean your ideas are easy to understand.
Instead, it means the way you explain your ideas is plain and clear. This means making sure:
- You use a wide range of sentence lengths, with an average of 14 to 18 words as the target. So, for every 45- or 50-word sentence you use, balance it with some extra-short sentences to keep your average in check.
- You don’t use longer words when shorter words mean exactly the same thing (e.g., “use” vs. “utilize”). But you still use the longer words when they are more appropriate. Nobody is expecting you to write like a cave-person.
- You use a minimal amount of passive voice — sentences in which you’ve hidden the “actor.” (e.g., Mistakes were made.)
- You use metaphors, similes and analogies to make your writing more understandable and interesting to readers.
- You earn readability stats of grade 7 to 9. (Academics can aim for grade 10, but no higher. You’re not writing for real grade-school students; the metrics are simply a measure of readability.)
But your ideas can be as complex and sophisticated as you like.
Why simplicity of expression always wins
There are five reasons why simple writing will always get you more readers. And probably more dinner invitations, but we can’t prove that yet.
1-It respects the reader’s time
Complex, jargon-filled writing often wastes time by hiding ideas behind style. Simple writing delivers ideas directly and efficiently by getting to the point quickly. This shows you value the reader’s attention rather than making them work to untangle your meaning. When you write clearly, you remove friction — readers don’t have to reread or decode, so every second they spend with your words feels worthwhile. No one ever complains that writing is too easy to understand. (Well, maybe certain kinds of pretentious professors, but they don’t count.)
2-It’s more accessible
Simple writing reduces the cognitive load on the reader, allowing them to seize ideas quickly without getting lost in complex sentence structures or obscure vocabulary. It respects diverse reading levels, making content understandable to a wider audience, including non-native speakers or those with limited literacy skills. By using straightforward sentences, the writer removes barriers that might otherwise distract or confuse.
Simple writing also improves retention, as readers can focus on the ideas rather than decoding the language. Simple writing reaches broader audiences without excluding sophisticated readers. Even your genius friend who reads Proust for fun will appreciate not having to decode your blog post.
3-It’s more precise
Complexity often masks fuzzy thinking. Simple writing strips away unnecessary words, jargon and structures that can obscure meaning. By choosing clear, specific words, writers convey exactly what they intend, leaving little room for misinterpretation. Shorter sentences help maintain focus on the core idea, avoiding the ambiguity that arises from unnecessarily complex phrasing. Clarity and brevity work together to make communication sharper and more direct. Think of it as Marie Kondo-ing your sentences — if a word doesn’t spark clarity, thank it and kick it out.
4-It’s more memorable
Clear ideas stick. Overly complex ones evaporate like your New Year’s resolutions. Simple writing presents ideas in a clear, uncluttered way that sticks in the reader’s mind. When sentences are straightforward and words are familiar, readers can understand the meaning quickly and recall it later without struggling to reconstruct complex phrasing. Metaphors, examples and concrete details stand out more when not buried in dense text.
5-It’s more professional
Clear, concise language avoids “padding,” which can come across as evasive or insecure. Professional writing values efficiency: every word serves a purpose. By making ideas easy to follow, simple writing projects competence, credibility and reliability. Ironically, the less you try to sound impressive, the more impressive you become.
In plain English
The problem is almost never that writing is too simple. It’s that it’s too vague, too incomplete or inappropriate for the audience.
Real writing skill isn’t about making yourself sound smarter or more educated than you are. It’s about making complex ideas interesting and easy to understand.
That’s the writing equivalent of making quantum physics sound fun at a dinner party — and, trust me, that’s a superpower worth having.
If you liked this post, you’ll also like 5 stupidly simple ways to improve your writing.
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Need some help developing a better, more sustainable writing or editing routine? Learn about my three-month accountability program called Get It Done. There is turn-over each month, and priority will go to those who have applied first. You can go directly to the application form and you’ll hear back from me within 24 hours.
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My video podcast last week addressed the pros and cons of starting over with a writing project. You can watch the video or read the transcript, and you can also subscribe to my YouTube channel.
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Is your writing too simple? We can all learn from each other, so please, share your thoughts with my readers and me in the comments section, below. If you comment on today’s post (or any others) by Oct. 31/25, I’ll put you in a draw for a digital copy of my first book, 8 1/2 Steps to Writing Faster, Better. To enter, please scroll down to the comments, directly underneath the related posts links, below. You don’t have to join Disqus to post! Read my tutorial to learn how to post as a guest. (It’s easy!)
