Write to express not impress

Robert Gunning, the Gunning half of the Gunning-Fox Readability Index said, 'Write to express not to impress'. Unfortunately, many writers still believe that a heavy, pretentious style of writing is more impressive than a simple style. In fact it is generally better to use the simpler word and phrase than the pompous alternative. Do you use whilst or while, utilise or use?  Using simpler words will allow your reader to focus on your message rather than be distracted by the language. You want your readers to be impressed more by the clarity of your argument and style of writing than by pretentious words and heavy phrases. 

Can you find simpler alternatives to these words?

• endeavour
• commence
• demonstrated
• render
• included herewith
• peruse

(Answers: try, start, shown, help, attached, read)

Comments

[David Roga]

Alternatives to:

endeavour - attempt, strive, venture, effort,
commence - start, begin,
demonstrated - manifested, showed
included herewith - cover, incorporate
peruse -view, read