What Is Plain English?
Academic writing is often seen as a realm of complex vocabulary, long-winded sentences, and intimidating jargon. But does it really have to be that way? Increasingly, scholars, universities, and publishers are embracing a different approach—Plain English.
Plain English doesn’t mean oversimplified or unprofessional writing. It means writing that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. It involves choosing words that say exactly what you mean, structuring your sentences logically, and eliminating unnecessary complexity.
This isn’t about dumbing down your ideas. It’s about ensuring your reader—whether a professor, a peer, or an examiner—actually understands them.
Using Plain English in your essays, research papers, or thesis can dramatically improve your academic writing. It allows your insights and arguments to shine, rather than getting lost in a fog of confusing language. It also shows that you respect your reader enough to guide them through your thinking with clarity and care.
In this article, you’ll learn why Plain English matters in academic contexts, what makes writing hard to understand, and how to revise your own work to be clearer, sharper, and more persuasive—without compromising on academic integrity.
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Why Plain English Matters in Academic Writing
In academic circles, there’s often a misconception that complex writing is a sign of intelligence. Long sentences, obscure vocabulary, and dense structures are seen as signs of “serious” scholarship. But in reality, clarity is more powerful than complexity.
Plain English matters in academic writing because it helps your audience understand what you’re saying the first time they read it. And in academia, where ideas are often abstract or nuanced, that’s a big deal.
Here’s why:
Clarity Improves Understanding
Your reader—whether a professor, journal reviewer, or fellow student—is busy. If your sentences are overloaded with abstract nouns, long clauses, or technical jargon, your argument might be missed entirely. Writing clearly ensures that your research, ideas, and insights are actually understood—and remembered.
Accessibility Builds Credibility
Clear writing builds trust. If your ideas are strong, you don’t need to hide them behind complicated words. When you express yourself plainly, you show that you understand your topic well enough to explain it simply—and that’s a powerful signal to your reader.
Broader Audiences = Greater Impact
If you want your thesis or paper to be read (and cited) by readers outside your specific niche—such as interdisciplinary scholars, international readers, or policy-makers—plain language is essential. The clearer your writing, the more likely it is to influence thinking across disciplines and borders.
Plain English Aids Memory
Research shows that readers retain information better when it’s presented in plain, direct language. Complex sentences can tire the brain. Shorter, well-structured sentences make your points more digestible and easier to recall—especially important when writing conclusions or summarising results.
Ultimately, plain English makes your writing more respectful, effective, and impactful. It puts the focus where it belongs—not on the language itself, but on the ideas behind the words.
Related: ESL Writing Mistakes
See also: What Is Signposting Language?
Common Barriers to Plain English in Academic Texts
If plain English is so effective, why do so many students—and even experienced researchers—write in a way that’s difficult to follow?
The answer often lies in well-meaning habits: a desire to sound formal, a fear of seeming “too simple,” or imitation of overly complex journal writing. Unfortunately, these habits can create unnecessary obstacles for the reader.
Here are some of the most common barriers that get in the way of clear academic writing:
Overuse of Jargon and Technical Language
Specialist vocabulary has its place—especially when precision matters—but overloading your writing with jargon makes it harder to read. Ask yourself: Is this term essential for accuracy, or am I just trying to sound clever? If it’s the latter, rephrase.
Example:
❌ “The photonic properties of the biocompatible composite were evaluated vis-à-vis their refractive indices.”
✅ “We tested how well the composite materials bent light.”
Long, Winding Sentences
Complex ideas often require more explanation—but that doesn’t mean your sentences should be endless. When you cram too many clauses into one sentence, your reader loses the thread.
Tip: Break long sentences into two or more. Vary sentence length to keep rhythm and clarity.
Passive Voice Overload
While passive voice is acceptable in academic writing, overusing it can lead to vague and impersonal prose.
Example:
❌ “It is believed by some that the results were influenced by sample bias.”
✅ “Some researchers believe that sample bias influenced the results.”
Nominalisations (Noun Phrases Instead of Verbs)
Nominalisations are when you turn a verb into a noun, often making sentences heavier and less direct.
Example:
❌ “The implementation of the method resulted in the identification of errors.”
✅ “Implementing the method revealed errors.”
These constructions are common in academic writing—but clarity improves when verbs stay as verbs.
Filler Phrases and Redundancy
Expressions like “It is important to note that,” “in order to,” or “due to the fact that” take up space without adding much meaning. Cutting them makes your writing more direct.
Example:
❌ “In order to investigate the effect of temperature, the experiment was designed in a specific manner.”
✅ “To investigate the temperature effect, we designed the experiment accordingly.”
How to Write More Clearly Without Losing Academic Rigor
One of the biggest worries students have about using Plain English is that their writing will no longer “sound academic.” But clarity and formality are not opposites—you can write in a formal, scholarly tone without being difficult to understand. In fact, the most compelling academic writing often says smart things in simple ways.
Here’s how to write more clearly without sacrificing academic credibility:
Prefer the Active Voice (When Appropriate)
Active voice makes your sentences more direct and engaging, helping readers understand who is doing what.
Example:
❌ “The solution was heated until it reached 100°C.”
✅ “We heated the solution until it reached 100°C.”
Passive voice has its place, especially when the doer isn’t important—but active voice is usually easier to follow.
Break Up Long Sentences
If a sentence has multiple clauses, think about where you can split it. Two shorter sentences are often clearer than one long one.
Example:
❌ “Given the wide range of economic factors that influence global trade patterns, which include currency fluctuations, political stability, and supply chain issues, it is difficult to determine the root cause of the current imbalance.”
✅ “Many economic factors influence global trade patterns. These include currency fluctuations, political instability, and supply chain issues. As a result, it’s difficult to identify a single cause of the current imbalance.”
Use Strong, Specific Verbs
Avoid vague verbs like “do,” “make,” or “get.” Instead, choose verbs that convey your meaning precisely.
❌ “The researcher did an analysis of the data.”
✅ “The researcher analysed the data.”
This keeps your writing efficient and sharp.
Simplify Your Word Choice
If there’s a simpler word that means the same thing, use it—unless the technical term is necessary for your field.
❌ “Utilise,” “commence,” “ascertain”
✅ “Use,” “start,” “find out”
Plain word choices make your argument easier to digest and reduce the chance of misunderstanding.
Be Ruthless with Redundancy
Academic writers often repeat themselves to sound thorough, but this can come across as verbose.
❌ “The results clearly and obviously show a definite and conclusive trend.”
✅ “The results show a clear trend.”
Trust your reader—they understand without the padding.
Writing clearly doesn’t make your ideas less sophisticated. It shows that you understand your work deeply enough to communicate it effectively.
Related: Thesis Proofreading Services
When Is It Okay to Be Complex?
Plain English is about clarity—not about avoiding complexity altogether. Academic writing sometimes requires precise, technical, or complex language to communicate advanced ideas accurately. The key is knowing when complexity serves a purpose, and when it just gets in the way.
Use Discipline-Specific Terminology When Necessary
Every field has its own specialised language. If you’re writing a physics thesis, terms like thermodynamic equilibrium or quantum entanglement are not only appropriate—they’re essential. In the social sciences, you might need phrases like intersectional analysis or constructivist theory.
The test is this: Is this word essential for accuracy and clarity in my discipline? If yes, keep it. If you’re using it to impress, rephrase it.
Complex Ideas Sometimes Require Longer Sentences
Not all short sentences are better. When you’re explaining a detailed relationship or presenting a nuanced interpretation, longer sentences can help—but only if they’re well-structured and logical.
Tip: If a long sentence is hard to follow, try using punctuation (like em dashes or semicolons) to improve rhythm and flow—or break it into two if necessary.
Consider Your Audience
The more advanced your reader, the more complex your writing can be—within reason. A supervisor, examiner, or subject-matter expert will be familiar with the terminology in your field. But if you’re writing for an interdisciplinary or general audience, opt for clarity over complexity.
Provide Definitions or Clarification
If you must use a complex term, define it when it first appears—especially in theses and dissertations. This shows you’re in control of the material and makes your writing more inclusive.
Example:
“The study uses a grounded theory approach, which involves developing theory through data collection and iterative analysis.”
In short, use complexity when it’s needed—not as a default. Effective academic writers are not those who use the biggest words—they’re the ones who know how to choose the right words for their message and audience.
Consider Professional Support
If you’re writing an important document—especially a thesis or journal article—consider using a professional proofreading service like Vappingo. Our expert editors ensure your writing is clear, accurate, and perfectly pitched for academic readers—while still sounding like you.
Plain English Makes Your Ideas Stronger
In academic writing, your ultimate goal is not to impress—it’s to communicate. And the most powerful way to communicate is through clarity. That’s what Plain English offers: the ability to express complex ideas in a way that is direct, professional, and easy to follow.
Using Plain English doesn’t mean oversimplifying your work or removing discipline-specific terminology. It means choosing your words carefully, structuring your sentences thoughtfully, and eliminating anything that makes your writing harder to understand. It’s not about lowering the quality—it’s about raising the impact.
Whether you’re writing a thesis, a journal article, or an essay, Plain English helps your arguments stand out, your logic shine, and your message stick. It’s a sign of respect for your readers—and of confidence in your ideas.
Start small: simplify one paragraph. Break one long sentence in two. Swap out one bit of jargon. Over time, you’ll find that writing clearly becomes second nature—and your work will be stronger for it.