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Messaging & Comms
MC–01
The Jargon Cleanse
Explain an Issue Without Political Jargon
3 steps · 1 exercise
The problem
You know the issue inside and out. Unfortunately, your explanation sounds like it was written by six people in a conference room who couldn’t agree on a verb.
The technique
Say it. Simplify it. Check it.
Step 3 · Check it
Before you use the rewrite, ask:
1
Did I change who is responsible?
2
Did I add a promise or outcome?
3
Did I leave out a limitation?
See it work
One sentence, cleaned up.
Tap After to clean it up
The conference-room version
Our municipality must improve interdepartmental coordination to facilitate more efficient constituent service delivery.
Why it works
The rewrite replaces bureaucratic language with everyday words without promising faster response times, new programs, or spending that the original statement didn’t specify.
Check it: the result
Who is responsible?
Unchanged. The local government is still the one that has to act.
Promise or outcome added?
None. The goal is still better coordination and more efficient service.
Limitation left out?
None. The original stated no timeline, budget, or limits, and the rewrite invents none.
Confirm before you post
“Town” and “residents” are assumptions. If the municipality is a city or village, or also serves businesses, adjust those words.
Your turn
The Backyard Barbecue Test
1
Take one sentence from a campaign speech, press release, or social media draft.
2
Rewrite it in plain language.
3
Ask someone unfamiliar with the issue to explain what they think it means.
Before you use it publicly
Compare the rewrite against the original policy or proposal to make sure the meaning hasn’t changed.
Practice space · Two ways to try it
Nothing you type here is saved or sent anywhere.
Option A
Quick practice
Rewrite this sentence
Our municipality must improve interdepartmental coordination to facilitate more efficient constituent service delivery.
Option B
Bring your own material
Then run it through the three Check it questions above before you use it.