Write user-facing comments, plans, and documents in ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English — short, unambiguous sentences with approved words and one meaning each — so readers understand them the first time.
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---
name: simplified-english
description: Write user-facing comments, plans, and documents in ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English — short, unambiguous sentences with approved words and one meaning each — so readers understand them the first time.
key: paperclipai/optional/content/simplified-english
recommendedForRoles:
- engineer
- product
- writer
- devrel
tags:
- writing
- communication
- clarity
- style
---
# Simplified English
For user-facing comments, plans, and documents, write using only ASD-STE100 Simplified Technical English.
## Core rules
- Use short sentences (procedures ≤ 20 words, descriptions ≤ 25 words).
- Give one instruction per sentence.
- Use approved words with one meaning each; avoid synonyms and jargon.
- Use the active voice and the present tense.
- Use articles ("the", "a") and do not drop words to save space.
- Write positive instructions; avoid negative or vague qualifiers.
- Keep paragraphs to one topic.
## Approved words
The approved words are the ASD-STE100 controlled vocabulary — the Dictionary in the current ASD-STE100 specification, plus the technical names and technical verbs that your subject needs. When a word is not approved, use the simplest common word that has one meaning. Prefer these house choices:
- "start" / "stop" (not "initiate", "commence", "terminate", "kill")
- "make" (not "implement", "leverage", "utilize")
- "before" / "after" (not "prior to", "subsequent to")
- "about" (not "regarding", "in relation to")
- "help" (not "facilitate")
- "use" (not "utilize", "employ")
