We only need to look to Harry Potter to see how simple language and constructs make for easy and enjoyable reading (as well as cutting out all the boring unimportant stuff – which J.K. Rowling did pretty well) – at least the first 3 books – I haven’t read the others (yet). The only padding / fluff I found in her books were about the Dursley’s and Quidditch.

Complicated sentence structure can arise because (1) the person needs to clarify and explain every little detail (they need to learn to trust that their audience is intelligent and knowledgeable), (2) it gives them a way to wrangle out obtuse interpretations (my wife, a lawyer is horrible at this – simple sentences are not in her ken), (3) this is writing, so, for crying out loud, it has to be pompous and obtuse.

I have a naturally large and varied vocabulary thanks to my reading life. Twenty-nine years of books will do that to a person.

As long as I can remember, I’ve found myself in the uncomfortable spot of having to explain my big or uncommon words. It is always words that I don’t think of as unusual in the least. Trust me, it is just as bad to be the smart and snobby one as the stupid or ignorant.

Still, small simple words are effective in communication. I have learned to judge when and were it is appropriate to pull out the two dollar words better than I did as a socially inept teenager. I think anyone who aspires to write, be it blogs or books, should read a little Hemingway. With a background in newspapers, he hardly used a three syllable word in full length novels. But his writing is clear.

We must always remember our audience. And that the primary goal of writing is to communicate.