Plain Language for Technical Teams: Before/After Examples
Published October 03, 2025 • 8–12 min read
See how to translate dense technical copy into clear, accurate instructions without losing precision.
Before/After: Error Messages
Before: “An authentication exception has occurred.” After: “We couldn’t verify your account. Try signing in again or reset your password.” Note how the revision names the user action and offers next steps.
Before/After: API Reference
Before: “Utilize the endpoint to effectuate resource creation contingent upon valid credentials.” After: “Create a resource with POST /v1/items. You’ll need an API key. Example request/response below.”
Before/After: Release Notes
Before: “Resolved an issue wherein intermittent disconnections might manifest under specific circumstances.” After: “Fix: Some users were disconnected during uploads. This release prevents timeouts for large files.”
Tactics That Work
Prefer verbs. Move conditions to the end of the sentence. Replace nominalizations. Use concrete subjects. Show examples at the point of need.
Safeguards
Have experts review the simplified copy. When precision matters, include a one‑sentence summary followed by the exact specification or legal language in a collapsible block.