Simplify Text Prompt

What it does

Takes complicated writing — legalese, technical docs, academic prose, a contract clause — and rewrites it so a normal person can follow it. Simplifying isn't summarizing; you keep all the content, you just drop the jargon, shorten the sentences, and unpack the dense parts. This prompt does that to a reading level you set, which matters because "simple" for a board memo is different from "simple" for a customer-facing FAQ.

Rewrite the text below in plain language.

Target reader: [e.g., a customer with no technical background / an 8th-grade reading level / a busy executive who wants it fast]

Rules:
- Keep all the actual content and meaning. This is simplification, not summary — don't drop points.
- Replace jargon with plain words, or define it in parentheses the first time if it can't be avoided.
- Break long sentences into shorter ones. Use everyday words over fancy ones.
- Keep the structure clear — use short paragraphs or bullets where it helps.
- Don't be condescending. Plain isn't the same as childish.

After the rewrite, list any terms you simplified or defined, in case I need to keep one for accuracy.

Text:
[paste the text here]

How to use it

Set the target reader honestly. If it's going to customers, "no background knowledge" is right. If it's an internal summary for executives, "wants the point fast, comfortable with some terms" fits better. The list of simplified terms at the end is your safety net — sometimes a word you'd love to cut ("indemnify," "vested") carries legal weight and has to stay. The list shows you exactly what changed so you can put back anything that mattered.

For anything legal or medical, simplify for understanding but never present the simplified version as the authoritative one. Plain-language explanations help people grasp a document; they don't replace it.

Example output

Original: "Pursuant to Section 4.2, the lessee shall remit payment within thirty (30) days of the invoice date, failing which late fees shall accrue."

Simplified: "You need to pay within 30 days of the invoice date. If you pay late, late fees start adding up."

Terms simplified: "'Lessee' → 'you'; 'remit payment' → 'pay'; 'accrue' → 'start adding up.'"

Variations

For kids: Add "The reader is a 10-year-old. Use very short sentences and concrete examples."

Keep it professional: Add "Simplify the language but keep a professional tone — this is for clients, not casual."

One-paragraph version: Add "After the full simplification, give me a single short paragraph that captures the whole thing for someone in a hurry."

Translate the jargon only: Add "Keep my structure and sentences mostly intact — just swap the jargon for plain equivalents and define unavoidable terms."

Common pitfalls

Simplifying into summary. If the output is shorter because it dropped points, it summarized instead of simplified. Re-run: "Keep every point — only change how it's worded, not how much it says."

Losing legal precision. Plain-language versions of contracts or policies are for understanding, not signing. Keep the original as the real document.

Going too far. "Plain" can tip into "patronizing." If it reads like it's talking down to the reader, ask for "plain but respectful — assume an intelligent adult who just isn't a specialist."

Who uses this prompt

Anyone translating expert content for a general audience — support teams turning policy into FAQs, marketers making technical products understandable, consultants writing client-facing summaries, and people trying to actually understand a contract before they sign it. Clarity is the product here.