Avoid abstract concepts (ideas or concepts that have no physical reference), for example, freedom, good, moral, democracy, and any -ism (e.g. chauvinism, Communism, feminism, racism, sexism)
Avoid meaningless formal language (e.g. best practice, touch base, value-added)
Avoid hidden verbs. Use the strongest, most direct form of the verb (e.g. Don’t write “you need to carry out a review of your account”, write “you need to review your account”)
Avoid metaphors and figures of speech. If necessary, illustrate them with practical examples
Write as you talk. Use short words from everyday language that are used in oral communication
Don’t turn verbs into nouns. (e.g. Don’t write “animal protection procedure development”; instead, write “developing procedures to protect animals”)
Use vocabulary in its first meaning (common meaning)
In text, always designate the same objects by the same word, i.e., avoid the use of synonyms
Avoid abbreviations and acronyms
If everyone knows an abbreviation, use it without explanation (e.g. BMW, AIDS)
Try to avoid using legal and technical language (i.e., specialized vocabulary of any field)
Omit unnecessary words (e.g. Write “to” instead of “in order to”)
Omit excess words (e.g. Write “difficult” instead of “particularly difficult”)
Don’t use slashes (e.g. Write either X, or Y, or both” then “X and/or Y)
Do not borrow words from other languages. If this is unavoidable, explain them, except, commonly used words
Use definitions rarely. If you can’t avoid them, use only a few
Avoid long section of definitions. If you must have a section of definitions, put it at the beginning or the end of your document
Use correct spelling
Offer a search engine that forgives spelling errors
Include spell checkers in search engines
Offer pronunciations where meaning depends on it, mainly for heteronyms—words that are spelled the same but have different pronunciations and meanings, such as the words “lead” (to guide/dense metal) and “wound” (injury/to encircle)