#11: Write Simple

This one is from the book Thinking Fast and Slow.

We often think that when we use big, complex words, specially during writing — then it will impress the reader. However, studies have shown that using heavy words instead of simple ones — makes you less credible.

Quoting from the book: “If you care about being thought credible and intelligent, do not use complex language where simpler language will do. My Princeton colleague Danny Oppenheimer refuted a myth prevalent among undergraduates about the vocabulary that professors find most impressive. In an article titled “Consequences of Erudite Vernacular Utilized Irrespective of Necessity: Problems with Using Long Words Needlessly,” he showed that couching familiar ideas in pretentious language is taken as a sign of poor intelligence and low credibility.”