For the reader:
* Engagement: Complicated language can be confusing and frustrating for readers, making them less likely to finish the piece.
* Understanding: If the reader doesn't understand the writing, they won't grasp the message or the story being told.
* Enjoyment: Reading should be enjoyable. Overly complicated writing can turn a potentially engaging piece into a chore.
* Trust: If a writer can't communicate clearly, it can damage the reader's trust in their expertise or authority.
For the writer:
* Audience: Overly complicated writing alienates a large portion of potential readers, limiting the impact and reach of the work.
* Credibility: Using unnecessarily complex language can make a writer seem pretentious or lacking in confidence.
* Clarity of message: Complicated language can obscure the intended meaning and weaken the writer's argument or story.
* Impact: A strong message, no matter how complex, is lost if the reader can't understand it.
* Opportunities: Editors and publishers may be less likely to accept or promote work that is too complicated for a wide audience.
Overall:
* Effectiveness: Ultimately, overly complicated writing undermines the writer's goal of communicating effectively with their audience.
Instead of focusing on complexity, writers should strive for clarity, conciseness, and engaging language that resonates with their intended audience. This approach maximizes the chance of their work being understood, appreciated, and remembered.