Simplify Dense or Jargon-Heavy Text
Simplify technical or dense text to a 9th-grade reading level without losing meaning.
This prompt takes dense, jargon-heavy writing — a contract clause, a research abstract, a technical doc — and rewrites it so a smart non-expert can grasp it on one read, targeting a 9th-grade reading level. It enforces specific moves: kill the jargon, split long sentences, switch to active voice, and lead with a one-sentence TL;DR. Use it when you understand something well enough to share but need to make it accessible to a broader audience without dumbing down the substance.
Rewrite the text below so a smart, non-expert adult can understand it quickly. Rules: (1) replace every piece of jargon with plain English, (2) break long sentences into two, (3) use active voice, (4) add a 1-sentence TL;DR at the top. Do not lose any critical information. Keep the output at a 9th-grade reading level. COMPLEX TEXT: [PASTE TEXT]
What you can expect back
TL;DR: If you misuse the licensed materials and someone sues, you pay the costs — not the company that licensed them to you. This clause is about who pays when something goes wrong. If you use the licensed materials in a way the agreement doesn't allow, you take on the risk. You agree to defend the licensor (the company that owns the materials) against any claims that result. You also cover their costs, including reasonable lawyer fees. In short: break the rules of use, and the legal bills are yours.
Illustrative example — your results will vary by tool and inputs.
Get sharper results
- 01Tell the model who the audience is (patients, new hires, customers) — 'a 9th-grade level for nervous patients' reads very differently from one for new engineers.
- 02If the source has must-keep terms (a legal definition, a drug name), list them and say 'keep these words but add a plain-English gloss' so accuracy isn't lost.
- 03Ask it to flag anything it had to simplify at the risk of changing the meaning, so you can double-check those spots before sharing.
- 04For very long inputs, ask for the TL;DR first, confirm it's accurate, then have it simplify section by section to avoid it dropping details.
- 05Request that it preserve all numbers, dates, and conditions verbatim — these are the parts simplification most often blurs.
Adapt it for your case
Lower the target to a 6th-grade reading level and ask for a short analogy for the hardest concept.
Add 'then provide the simplified version in [language] as well' for audiences who read another language.
Ask for the plain-English version as 4–6 bullet points instead of prose for skimmable internal docs.
Common questions
Will simplifying change the legal or technical meaning?
It can, especially with contracts or medical text. Treat the output as an explanation, not a replacement, and have a qualified person confirm anything with legal or safety consequences.
How does it know what a 9th-grade level is?
It approximates readability by using shorter sentences and common words. If you need a measured score, ask it to also report the approximate Flesch–Kincaid grade level.
Can it keep certain jargon that my audience expects?
Yes — list the terms you want preserved and ask it to define each one in a short aside the first time it appears.
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