Avoid being too academic – even if you’re an academic

Even academics should avoid being too academic. Here’s a hard-hitting 531-word essay on why and how you should avoid being a “smarty-pants” writer. Definitely worth reading.

The Takeaway: Before writing anything – even an email – pause for a moment to visualize your intended reader. This is especially important if you are a specialist and your reader is a layman. A well-developed habit of empathy is the mark of a professional writer.