CSC 300

Bad Words List

Avoid using these words in documents. They convey little information and won't help the reader understand. There might be worse than doublespeak words because they are used so pervasively and few people question them.

and/or, etc., misc.
It is always possible to re-write the sentence to remove these vague terms.
basically
A common speech filler; in a document, it is of the same genre as generally and is basically unclear.
compatible
These are hunderds of different opinions on this word. Say what you mean. (e.g. The computer must be able to run Doom.)
easy, easier, easiest, easily, simply, hard, harder, hardest
These are impossible to test. State some specific number to write a clear sentence.
efficient, more efficient, less efficient
Unless you are discussing furnaces, this word is vague. Say what you mean.
flexible, flexibility
Unless you are discussing gymnastics, this word is vague. Say what you mean.
quickly, more quickly, less quickly, fast, faster
Same problem as easy.
maximize, minimize, optimize
Say clearly what parameters you are trying to maximize. (e.g. performance is more important than space; the designer should always sacriface space for performance)
module, modular, modularity
These terms have a wide variety of definitions, probably more than compatible.
return key
Try and find it. There is no easy solution to this dilemma since keyboards vary.
user friendly
Who are you kidding?
usually, generally, should, probably
These are all of the same, unclear, genre. Write what you mean. A document reader hates these words.
very
If emphasis is needed, use a precise word.

Last updated on 11/4/97