[Instructors: This activity works well as a quick change-of-pace exercise with the entire class or in small groups to revise the jargon. We’ve included some suggested responses, but your students will likely come up with different solutions. Have fun!]
Good communicators know the best way to convey meaning is by using clear, concise language rather than corporate jargon and trendy phrases.
Replace the words and phrases below with more direct language that avoids clichés.
- Deep dive
- Outside the box
- Pivot
- Honestly
- Reach out
- Circle back
- Low-hanging fruit
- Rock star
- Face time (as in Devote face time to an issue.)
- Off the grid
- Guru
- Spidey-sense
- At the end of the day
Replacing Jargon with Plain English-Exercise
Replacing Jargon with Plain English-KEY
Intended for classroom use only–posting or wide distribution with authors’ permission only (c) The Guffey Team, 2023
