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What is jargon and why should we avoid it?

What is jargon and why should we avoid it?

At best, jargon risks confusing the audience through wordiness or the use of obscure terms. At worst, it completely defeats the intent of the writer to communicate with clarity. Therefore, you should generally avoid using jargon unless you define the words for readers who may not understand them.

Why must jargon be avoided when writing?

Special terms can be useful shorthand within a particular audience and may be the clearest way to communicate with that group. Readers complain about jargon more than any other writing fault, because writers often fail to realize that terms they know well may be difficult or meaningless to their audience.

When should you not use jargon?

Here are some of the reasons why business jargon can do more harm than good:

  • Jargon can cause confusion. In a lot of cases, jargon can be so bastardized or overused that staff members no longer know what they mean even if they recognize them.
  • Jargon can offend.
  • Unclear terms could be used.
  • Acronyms.
  • Phrases and terms.

Should writers use jargon Why or why not?

Jargon is necessary in academic writing. It provides a shortcut for concepts that would otherwise take many sentences to describe. It signals the author’s awareness of, and presence within, in-group conversations.

Is the use of jargon polite?

Jargon has another meaning that isn’t inherently negative: It’s the specialized language used by a particular profession or group. Often riddled with industry acronyms and colloquialisms, this language is difficult for outsiders to understand.

When should you use jargon?

You’ll need jargon when you’re talking to a technical audience about a technical topic. Using vague layman’s translations in a specialist industry conversation is only going to obscure meaning. Plus, if you fail to use the correct terminology, you risk appearing incompetent.

What are the disadvantages of using jargon?

Jargon-filled content can be risky. Jargon can hurt your SEO because users will search for terms that they are familiar with and reflect the way they speak. Jargon can also be boring. If you don’t understand something, you quickly lose interest.

What is an example of jargon?

Some examples of jargon include: Due diligence: A business term, “due diligence” refers to the research that should be done before making an important business decision. AWOL: Short for “absent without leave,” AWOL is military jargon used to describe a person whose whereabouts are unknown.

Who should use jargon?

Why do professionals use jargon?

To specialized audiences, jargon is precise and marks professionals in the discipline. The terms are somewhat obscure and often intimidating to others. Jargon, as a negative term refers to wordy, ponderous, inflated phrasing used by writers to make their ideas sound profound and their prose sound impressive.

What is a jargon sentence?

Jargon is the term for specialized or technical language that is only understood by those who are members of a group or who perform a specific trade. Writers sometimes use jargon to appeal to a specific group, or to embed a hidden meaning behind their writing that only certain groups would understand.

What are the different types of jargon?

6 TYPES OF MODERN JARGON TO AVOID IN YOUR FUNDRAISING APPEAL:

  • A “clinical” or “official” or “specialist” word.
  • A term of art.
  • A word that’s seldom part of every day usage.
  • A pompous, “big” word.
  • An acronym.
  • An over-used phrase.

Is it better to avoid jargon in your writing?

Avoiding jargon might seem like you’re dumbing things down – but really, you’re just catering to a wider audience. You can’t expect every customer or entry level industry hopeful to know what you’re talking about if you fill your content with a bunch of jargon only industry pros would understand.

Why is it important to avoid jargon in devspeak?

Content that is easier to read is more likely to help readers understand, engage with, and relate to the story you’re trying to tell. 2) Some devspeak words carry connotations that only hurt people. For example, the term “beneficiaries” suggests a group of people waiting for handouts because they can’t help themselves.

Why do people complain about the use of jargon?

Readers complain about jargon more than any other writing fault, because writers often fail to realize that terms they know well may be difficult or meaningless to their audience. Try to substitute everyday language for jargon as often as possible.

What kind of jargon should you avoid in legal language?

For more on definitions, see Dealing with definitions. Legal language is a major source of annoying jargon. Readers can do without archaic jargon such as “hereafter,” “heretofore,” and “therewith.”