Often times you will come across articles to write that will require you to write in a technical or academic tone. This cannot be helped as often times such subjects have their own terminology or jargon that has to be incorporated in order to bring authority and credibility to the writing. The problem with these types of articles of course is when you incorporate the more technical language you run the risk of creating confusion for the reader or alienating them from the topic.

The balancing act you perform as a Writer dealing with difficult topics begins with being able to take technical and detailed subjects and make them digestible for all audiences. It is important to compartmentalize your writing by focusing on the audience, their need to comprehend the material and the opportunity presented to you to educate the reader in order to maintain their interest and motivate them to action, on behalf of your User.

Consider the Reading Comprehension of your Audience  
Plain language writing takes into account the reading level of your audience and helps your readers understand what is written the first time. Write with the reader in mind and adopt a few techniques to help maintain reader interest. This includes organizing the article with a logical, natural flow, using the pronoun “You” and maintaining an active voice.

Explain Technical Jargon  
The introduction of technical jargon into an article can feel unnatural and seem out of place in your writing. This is especially true if the piece you are writing about is in a subject matter that you are not well versed in. Instead of loading the article with the words and running the risk of losing your audience, take some time to explain the words you are using, establishing their meaning and the importance the word has in relationship to the topic. Demystifying technical words will add to your credibility as a Writer and help the reader enjoy the information being presented.

As an example, describe a catalytic process using simple terms. You know that catalytic is derived from the word catalyst, which is often described as an agent of change. You may want to approach a catalytic process as a process where the introduction of one substance changes another one. You have now described a catalytic process using plainer language but still maintaining a professional tone.

Keep the Tone Light but Professional  
Above all maintain a tone throughout the article that is light and easy to read, but also maintains professionalism. Use appropriate words that are relevant to describing processes, systems and generally accepted practices within the topic but also take the time to educate or properly introduce more difficult concepts. Words do matter and the words you choose should enlighten your readers and be written in as informative a style as possible. Take on the challenge of writing more difficult pieces, keeping in mind always the audience you are writing for and a need to carefully balance your words in order to maximize comprehension and readability.

If you are having issues producing the correct tone or dialogue, message your User. Work with the User requesting the content if you have any questions regarding the specifications. They will be able to provide you with constructive feedback that will assist you with completing the assignment.