The complexity of simplicity

This example illustrates how this feels:

"After proper completion of all procedural steps specified in § 4 (2) of the Rules of Procedure for relevant application and approval procedures, which must be strictly adhered to in terms of both timing and content and whose non-compliance may result in the exclusion of the application from further factual and legal assessment, you are hereby notified, without prejudice to any further legal or regulatory requirements, that all documents must be submitted in the form specified in the official circular by the end of the month following the date of this letter at the latest."

We give up on sentences like these. Usually after just a few words. The content hardly sticks. The bad news: it doesn't have to be extreme examples like these. Even less complex texts make it difficult for their readers. The good news: it can be easier. And that's where the art lies. A closer look at the text shows how this can be done.

But before it can become easy, it has to become difficult. And that's because of this question:
What makes content complex in the first place? The obvious answer: long-winded sentences. Walls of text without images. No structure. Technical jargon. All of these things make content complex. Just like in our example. That's true. But it also shows that content becomes complex when it fails to convey its knowledge. When it doesn't engage readers, but leaves them with questions. The text above leaves many questions unanswered.

And yet it is important. Because it contains a wealth of knowledge. But it also contains a wealth of stumbling blocks, pitfalls, and untapped potential to convey this knowledge in a different way.
Because official and legalese rarely allow texts to not only go into technical depth, but also to move people in their innermost being.

But it is possible. With all highly complex content. And that doesn't just mean shortening sentences or inserting images. Even if that's true. It's just not everything.

Do you remember the example from the beginning of the text?
To make complex content easier to understand, you need the right kind of simplicity.
And this is how you achieve it:

Understanding

To explain complex things in simple terms, you need to understand them first. That's logical. But it doesn't require you to have in-depth expert knowledge of every tiny detail. Your
knowledge is sufficient if you can explain even the most complex topic in such simple terms that a child could understand it.

What does that mean for our example? In terms of content, it is important to understand what the sentence means. Namely: All documents must be submitted by the end of next month.

Omission

A wealth of knowledge is beneficial. Transferring knowledge to text is even better. However, it is best to have the courage to omit certain elements. This does not mean trivializing content, but rather reducing linguistic complexity caused by excessive technical knowledge.
More is not always better. Highly complex topics do not become more comprehensible when explained in detail. They only become more complex.

Applied to our example, this means reducing formulations and terms that unnecessarily inflate the sentence.
“The complete submission of the documents by next month” is the crucial information—all other information may be legally relevant, but it does not add value to understanding at this point.

So once you have understood what really matters and deleted everything superfluous, the most important question remains: What does the reader need

Understanding

It's not just about understanding in the sense of specialist knowledge. It's also about developing an understanding of what the reader needs. And that is simply added value.
But they also want to be taken by the hand, drawn in, and touched. Then they not only recognize this benefit—they understand it. And that sticks.

When comprehension, renunciation, and understanding come together, the sentence from the beginning suddenly becomes a comprehensible thought—one that might sound like this:

“In order for us to process your application quickly and smoothly, please submit all documents by the end of next month.”

Complexity dissolves through the right simplicity.
Ask yourself if you could explain your topic in a way that a child could understand. If you can, then go ahead and tell them. Make it simple by leaving out anything that is too technical. Make it tangible and perceptible. And: step outside your bubble—or better yet, have someone who is not in your bubble write it.