Let’s face it – most people aren’t reading your training materials for fun.
They’re skimming through a workbook between meetings, clicking through eLearning before their next deadline, or half-watching a how-to video while juggling emails. That means we have one job: make the content clear, useful, and easy to read. Help them do the thing, then let them get back to work.
But the truth is, much of our learning materials get weighed down by bloated language, passive instructions, or a never-ending backstory no one asked for. And when people can’t find what they need? They give up. Or worse, they guess.
That’s where Ernest Hemingway’s Tips for Writing comes in handy.
Yes, the guy who wrote The Old Man and the Sea can teach us a thing or two about writing for performance. Hemingway’s writing style was stripped down, intentional, and brutally efficient – exactly what we need when writing instructional content. Whether you’re creating job aids, facilitator guides, or step-by-step walkthroughs, Hemingway’s top writing tips are surprisingly transferable.
If Hemingway were writing your content, he’d probably cut them in half (and your learners would thank him).
Tip 1: Cut the Length, Boost the Clarity
If we want to write content that learners use, we need to stop writing as if we’re being graded for word count. Hemingway didn’t bother with long-winded prose, and neither should we.
“Use short sentences.” – Ernest Hemingway
Short sentences do more than sound tidy – they help learners absorb information faster. In learning, every word counts, especially when your reader is trying to follow instructions while juggling tasks and deadlines. Long, winding sentences create friction. Short ones keep momentum.
This isn’t just about writing pretty. It’s about reducing cognitive load. When learners hit a wall of text or overly complex phrasing, their brain has to work harder to figure out what’s important. That’s a fast track to frustration.
Here’s an example:
❌ In order to begin the onboarding process, you’ll first need to make sure that the appropriate documentation has been completed and submitted prior to proceeding.
✅ To start onboarding, first submit your completed paperwork.
Same message. Half the length. Twice as usable.
Quick tip: Run your content through a readability checker. Aim for a 6th–8th grade reading level, not because your learners aren’t smart, but because they’re busy.
Short sentences aren’t simplistic. They’re respectful. They say, “Here’s what you need. No fluff, no filler.”
And in the world of learning, that’s exactly what works.
Tip 2: Write Clear Instructions That Address “the Do”
Hemingway believed in saying what you mean, and saying it directly.
“Be positive, not negative.” – Ernest Hemingway
People don’t want to decode your message. Tell them what to do – clearly and directly. Not what to avoid. No riddles. No double-talk. Just action.
Here’s a common example:
❌ Don’t forget to save your work before closing the app.
✅ Save your work before closing the app.
That tiny shift—from “don’t forget” to “save” makes a big difference. The first one plants doubt. The second one gives direction.
This may seem minor, but in high-pressure or fast-paced work environments, clarity wins. Negative instructions slow people down and introduce friction right when you need action.
Bonus tip: Avoid double negatives or vague qualifiers like “try not to,” “be careful,” or “avoid doing this.” Swap them with action words learners can follow: “Click,” “Send,” “Review,” “Save.”
Every sentence in your content should answer one silent question from the learner: What do you want me to do?
Good instructional writing leaves no room for guesswork. If there’s doubt, revise.
Tip 3: Cut the Fluff to keep people focused
If there’s one Hemingway rule that deserves its own sticky note on your screen, it’s this one:
“Omit needless words.” – Ernest Hemingway
No one wants to read three paragraphs when one sentence will do. And learners certainly don’t want to wade through filler while trying to figure out how to process an invoice or operate new software.
Every extra word is a speed bump. And too many speed bumps? Learners tune out, click “Next”.
Here’s a bloated sentence that needs trimming:
❌ It is essential that all employees make sure they are thoroughly reviewing the safety checklist before they begin their daily tasks, as this will help to ensure a safe work environment for everyone involved.
✅ Review the safety checklist before starting your tasks.
Cleaner. Shorter. Zero confusion.
When you’re writing instructional content, your goal isn’t to impress, it’s to instruct. That means stripping out anything that doesn’t help someone do the thing.
Here’s a quick checklist for fluff spotting:
- Cut out “in order to” (just say “to“).
- Replace “utilize” with use.
- Skip intros like “this section will explain…” (just get to the point and explain it).
- Watch for filler phrases like “it is important to note that” or “make sure that”—they rarely add value.
And yes, your SME might love their four-paragraph explanation. But your learner just wants the one sentence that tells them what to click.
If it doesn’t help someone act, fix, decide, or move forward – it’s fluff. Cut it.
Tip 4: Write Like You Understand the Task
“Know what you’re talking about.” – Ernest Hemingway
If you don’t understand the task, your instructions won’t make sense—and your learners will feel it. Fast.
Too often, content gets written from the sidelines. The result? Things get vague. Steps get skipped. Words get weird.
Here’s what that looks like:
❌ Initiate the system entry procedure through the appropriate access point and proceed with data input.
✅ Log into the portal, then click “Add New Entry.”
One sounds like it came from a corporate SOP. The other sounds like someone who’s been there, done that, and just wants to help you do it too.
To write like you know the work:
- Watch someone do the task.
- Ask the “dumb” questions.
- Try it yourself if you can.
- Get clarity on both what to do and why it matters.
Your learners are in the trenches. Your writing should be too.
Tip 5: Format Learning Content for Scanning, Not Reading
“Write short first paragraphs.” – Ernest Hemingway
Learners don’t read, they scan. If your content looks like a wall of text, they’ll skip it.
That’s why formatting matters just as much as the words you choose. Break things up. Give the eye somewhere to land. Make it easy to find the thing they need right now.
Simple formatting rules to follow:
- Use short paragraphs (1–3 sentences).
- Break steps into bullet points or numbered lists.
- Bold key actions or terms.
- Use clear headers and subheaders to guide the eye.
- Add white space. Let the content breathe.
Here’s an example of what not to do:
❌ Before you begin the task, it’s important to ensure all system checks are complete. This will include verifying user permissions, confirming system time synchronization, and performing a reboot if prompted. Failure to complete these steps may result in errors down the line.
Now cleaned up for scanning:
✅ Before you begin:
- Verify user permissions
- Confirm system time is correct
- Reboot if prompted
Same message. Way more usable.
Learners are busy. Don’t make them dig for answers. Make the steps jump off the page.
Tip 6: Start With Action, Not the Backstory
“Begin with the simplest thing.” – Ernest Hemingway
In L&D, we love context. But learners? They just want to know what to do.
Instead of starting with a paragraph about why a process exists or its full history, begin with the action. You can add background later (if it’s even needed).
Example:
❌ The company implemented this system to improve tracking and accountability across teams. It was designed to…
✅ Click “Start New Report.”
There’s a time for storytelling, but it’s not the first step in a job aid. Especially when someone’s in the middle of their workday, trying to get something done quickly.
Here’s a better sequence:
- Show the action.
- Support it with any pro tips.
- Add context only if it helps the learner make a better decision.
People don’t need a history lesson to hit the right button. Get them moving first, then layer in what’s helpful.
Tip 7: Use Human Language, Not Corporate Speak
“Avoid fancy words.” – Ernest Hemingway
Learners aren’t reading your content with a dictionary in hand. They’re trying to figure something out, fast. If your writing sounds like it was pulled from a policy manual, it’s going to get ignored.
This isn’t just about simplicity – it’s about sounding like a real person.
Example:
❌ Commence the procedure by verifying the operational status of the system.
✅ Start by checking if the system is working.
One sounds like a corporate robot. The other sounds like someone who wants to help you get from “point A” to “point B”.
Here’s how to keep your writing human:
- Use everyday language: start, check, click, send.
- Skip the formality. “You” is okay. So is “we.”
- Read it out loud. If it sounds stiff, rewrite it.
- Imagine explaining it to a smart new hire on their first day.
You’re not simplifying the content, you’re simplifying the experience—so people can get in, get what they need, and move on.
Tip 8: Rewrite Like You Mean It
“Re“Rewrite.” – Ernest Hemingway
Great learning content isn’t written – it’s rewritten.
Your first draft is just a brain dump. The real magic happens when you step back, tighten things up, and rewrite with the learner in mind.
Sure, you could skip the rewrite. But don’t be surprised when the help desk gets flooded with questions your content should’ve answered.
Here’s how to make your second pass count:
- Trim the fat: What words don’t need to be there?
- Check for flow: Do the steps build logically?
- Read it out loud: Does it sound like something a person would actually say?
- Run the “would I use this?” test: If the answer is no, it needs another pass.
Bonus tip: Ask someone outside the project to read it. If they don’t get it, your learners won’t either – and that’s the whole point of rewriting.
Learners don’t need your first draft. They need your clearest thinking and your sharpest words.
Let’s wrap this up
Writing for learning isn’t about sounding smart – it’s about being useful.
At the end of the day, you aren’t writing “War and Peace”. People just want to know what to do, how to do it, and how to get it right the first time. That’s it.
You don’t need to write like a novelist. But you should write like someone who respects the work, the learner, and the time it takes to learn something new. That’s where Hemingway’s advice hits home. Simple, clear, and intentional writing gets to the point and then gets out of the way.
And when that first draft looks like a mess? Good. It should.
As Anne Lamott put it:
“Almost all good writing begins with terrible first efforts. You need to start somewhere. Start by getting something—anything—down on paper. A shitty first draft is the beginning of something better.”
So, whether you’re building a workbook, a how-to guide, or a storyboard – channel your inner Hemingway, embrace your “shitty first draft,” and write like someone who’s got the learner’s back.
Because when the words are clear, the learning sticks.
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