The Power of Simplicity: Avoiding Overcomplicated Essays

In academic and professional writing, simplicity often stands as an underappreciated virtue. The power of simplicity in essay writing lies not in dumbing down complex ideas, but in communicating them with clarity and precision. Many students and professionals struggle with overcomplicated writing, believing that complexity signals intelligence. Yet the most profound ideas often find their strongest expression through straightforward language and structure.

What Makes Writing “Simple”?

Clarity vs. Oversimplification

Simplicity in writing doesn’t mean oversimplifying complex concepts or avoiding sophisticated ideas. Rather, it means expressing thoughts clearly and directly. As Richard Lanham explains in his book “Revising Prose,” simple writing “gets to the point and makes every word count.” Simple writing illuminates rather than obscures.

William Zinsser, author of “On Writing Well,” puts it succinctly: “Clear thinking becomes clear writing; one can’t exist without the other.”

The Science Behind Readability

Readability research confirms the value of simplicity. Studies show that readers comprehend and retain information better when it’s presented clearly and directly. According to research from the American Press Institute, sentences under 20 words are significantly more comprehensible than longer ones.

Readability Metric	What It Measures	Ideal Score Range
Flesch Reading Ease	How easy text is to read	60-70 (ideal for general audience)
Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level	U.S. grade level needed to understand	7-8 (for general audience)
Gunning Fog Index	Years of formal education needed	7-8 (for general public)
SMOG Index	Years of education needed to understand	7-8 (for general audience)

Related Question: How is readability measured objectively?

Readability is measured through formulas that analyze factors like sentence length, syllable count, and word complexity. Tools like Hemingway Editor and Grammarly incorporate these metrics to help writers assess and improve their clarity.

Common Causes of Overcomplicated Writing

Academic Pressure and Imposter Syndrome

Many students and academics fall into the trap of overcomplicated writing due to imposter syndrome and academic pressure. They believe complex language will make them sound more scholarly or hide perceived inadequacies in their knowledge.

Dr. Helen Sword, author of “Stylish Academic Writing,” found that many academics use complicated language defensively, fearing their ideas might seem trivial if expressed simply.

Jargon and Field-Specific Language

Every field has its specialized vocabulary. While jargon serves as shorthand among experts, it becomes a barrier when overused or used inappropriately. E.B. White advised writers to “write with nouns and verbs, not with adjectives and adverbs.”

• Essential jargon: Terms with no simple equivalent
• Unnecessary jargon: Complex terms used where simpler ones exist
• Obfuscating jargon: Complex language that conceals rather than clarifies

Related Question: When is specialized terminology appropriate in essays?

Specialized terminology is appropriate when:

1. Your audience understands it
2. No simpler term exists
3. You define unfamiliar terms
4. It genuinely clarifies rather than obscures meaning

The Psychology of Simplicity

Cognitive Load Theory and Reading Comprehension

Cognitive load theory, developed by John Sweller, explains why simplicity aids understanding. Our working memory has limited capacity—typically able to handle only 5-9 pieces of information simultaneously. Complex writing increases cognitive load, making comprehension more difficult.

This science explains why breaking information into digestible chunks and using clear language increases retention and understanding.

Type of Cognitive Load	Description	How Complex Writing Affects It
Intrinsic	The inherent difficulty of the material	Cannot be reduced, only managed
Extraneous	Unnecessary mental effort caused by poor presentation	Increased by convoluted language and structure
Germane	Effort needed to create lasting understanding	Reduced when readers struggle with basic comprehension

The Curse of Knowledge

The “curse of knowledge” describes how experts struggle to remember what it’s like not to know something. This cognitive bias leads many writers to assume readers share their background knowledge, resulting in writing that’s unnecessarily complex for its audience.

George Orwell recognized this problem when he wrote: “If you can’t explain something simply, you don’t understand it well enough.”

Related Question: How do I write for readers with different levels of expertise?

To write for diverse audiences:

• Explain key concepts clearly
• Use analogies to connect new ideas to familiar ones
• Layer information—provide basics first, then details
• Use examples to illustrate abstract concepts
• Consider including a glossary for specialized terms

Structural Simplification Techniques

The Power of Well-Organized Paragraphs

Paragraph structure forms the backbone of clear writing. Each paragraph should present and develop a single main idea, typically introduced in the topic sentence. This organization helps readers follow your thinking and process information incrementally.

Joseph Williams, in “Style: Toward Clarity and Grace,” recommends the “old-to-new” principle: begin sentences with familiar information and end with new information. This creates a sense of logical progression that guides readers through your argument.

Paragraph Element	Purpose	Example
Topic sentence	States the main idea	“Effective simplification begins with clear organization.”
Supporting sentences	Develop and explain the main idea	“Research shows that readers comprehend information better when…”
Transitions	Connect ideas within and between paragraphs	“Similarly,” “However,” “As a result”
Concluding sentence	Reinforces the main idea or transitions to next paragraph	“This structural clarity forms the foundation of accessible writing.”

Logical Flow and Transitions

Logical progression between ideas creates a “path of least resistance” for your reader. Think of your essay as a journey—each paragraph should lead naturally to the next, with clear signposts along the way.

Effective transitions serve as these signposts, helping readers understand how ideas relate to each other and to your overall argument.

Related Question: How can I check if my essay flows logically?

To check your essay’s logical flow:

1. Create an outline from your completed draft
2. Identify the main point of each paragraph
3. Check that each paragraph builds on previous ones
4. Ensure transitions clarify relationships between ideas
5. Read the first and last sentence of each paragraph in sequence

Language Simplification Strategies

Sentence Structure and Length

Varying sentence length improves readability and rhythm. Short sentences deliver impact. Longer sentences can develop complex relationships between ideas. The key is balance and purpose.

Consider these guidelines:

• Keep average sentence length under 20 words
• Vary sentence structure to maintain reader interest
• Use simple sentences for emphasis
• Reserve complex sentences for showing relationships between ideas

Ernest Hemingway, renowned for his clear style, advocated using short, direct sentences and concrete language.

Sentence Type	Best Used For	Example
Simple	Emphasis, clarity	“Simplicity matters.”
Compound	Connecting equal ideas	“Simplicity matters, and readers appreciate it.”
Complex	Showing relationships	“Because simplicity matters, writers should prioritize clarity.”
Compound-Complex	Nuanced relationships	“Because simplicity matters, writers should prioritize clarity, and readers will benefit.”

Word Choice and Vocabulary

Word choice significantly impacts clarity. While a rich vocabulary demonstrates language facility, simpler words often communicate more effectively. Mark Twain advised, “Don’t use a five-dollar word when a fifty-cent word will do.”

Consider these word-choice principles:

• Choose familiar words over obscure ones
• Use concrete language rather than abstract terms
• Prefer specific nouns and strong verbs
• Eliminate unnecessary modifiers
• Replace noun strings with clearer constructions

Related Question: Does using simple language make my writing less sophisticated?

No. Sophisticated writing comes from sophisticated thinking expressed clearly, not from complex vocabulary. As Einstein said, “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” The most respected academic and professional writers often use straightforward language to express complex ideas effectively.

rawurl.org/writing-resources/simplicity

Editing for Simplicity

The Rule of “Less is More”

Editing is where good writing becomes great. William Strunk Jr.’s famous advice—”Omit needless words”—remains one of the most powerful strategies for achieving simplicity. Every word should earn its place in your essay.

The Purdue Online Writing Lab suggests this editing process:

1. Write freely in your first draft
2. Let the draft rest
3. Return with fresh eyes to cut redundancy
4. Eliminate qualifiers that weaken your writing
5. Replace passive constructions with active ones when appropriate

Common Redundancies	Simpler Alternative
“at this point in time”	“now”
“due to the fact that”	“because”
“in spite of the fact that”	“although”
“in the event that”	“if”
“prior to”	“before”

Tools and Resources for Simplification

Modern writers have numerous tools to help identify overcomplicated writing:

• Hemingway Editor: Highlights complex sentences, passive voice, and adverbs
• Grammarly: Offers readability statistics and clarity suggestions
• ProWritingAid: Provides detailed style reports and readability scores
• Readable: Analyzes text against multiple readability formulas

The Harvard Writing Center offers this advice: “Good writing is simple, but simplicity is complex to produce.”

Related Question: How much editing is enough?

Most professional writers spend far more time editing than drafting. Ernest Hemingway reportedly rewrote the ending to “A Farewell to Arms” 39 times. While such intensive revision may not be necessary for every essay, plan to revise each draft at least 2-3 times, focusing on different aspects each time (structure, clarity, conciseness).

Frequently Asked Questions