Jargon Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: RL.9-10.3

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

Jargon is language that used within a specific group, industrial sector, or profession. A good example of this is the term that many educators use to indicate that children can be smart in many different ways, through the concept of "multiple intelligences". This is a term that the vast majority of educators will know on sight, but many non-educators will need to have explained to them, at times. We would therefore classify this phrase (multiple intelligences) as jargon. Just like vocabulary your knowledge of jargon vastly improves with your level of experience within that group or profession. This series of worksheets will help students be able to identify jargon and which group or profession the term may best belong to.

Jargon Worksheets To Print:

At the Office - Match each term to its meaning. Not all of the choices will be used.

Clearing It Up? - These sentences have many different technical meanings stuffed in them. Rewrite them and clean them up.

The Newspaper - Read the paragraph that is from a recent newspaper article. Then match the bold words from the paragraph to the definitions below. Not all bolded words will be used.

Football, Fiction, or Social Media? - This is a great worksheet to help students sort things that they are definitely familar with.

Language Arts - This is a great sheet to use at the end of the year as a review sheet.

Which Field? - Identify the profession/occupation where you are most likely to encounter each example of these terms and then define them.

Circle Up! - You will circle anything that is just too specific or technical for the general public to understand.

Is It Necessary? - Some people think that using jargon unnecessarily obscures a subject. What do you think? Does it contribute to accuracy or is it simply off-putting? Explain your opinion.

Slang and Colloquialism - Where do these concept relate and go in opposite directions?

Jargon vs. Lingo - Compare and contrast these two closely related concepts.

3 Jobs - For this assignment, you will interview three people who have three different occupations or hobbies and ask them for some examples of the jargon that they use in that field. Write their answers below.

What Interests You? - Choose a field that interests you and explore terms that are very specific to it.

You Probably Already Use It... - Choose one of the activities below that you do, have done, or know something about. Can identify some words that may fit this profile?

In the Article - You will breakdown an article and identify any issues of it.

I'm Familar - This concept we cross over everyday. See what you may already know, with the use of this worksheet.

How to Identify Jargon?

Jargon is a metaphor for technical words or phrases recognizable to a group of people with insider knowledge but incomprehensible to outsiders. They're more akin to a 'secret language,' adopted so that only a few people can grasp what's being said and leave outsiders mystified.


Is It Useful or Detrimental?


A few professions utilize this type of language so routinely in their work that it has become a habit. This may be relevant because their profession compels them to communicate in technical terms that others may find difficult to understand.


However, this practice lingers and is mixed in with everyday life, which might be aggravating for someone with whom you are interacting and who is unable to perceive what is being said.


Jargon is okay as long as it is used in technical domains. However, it can be detrimental when used in a setting where the general public will read what’s written. Consider the case of a writer.


The goal of a writer is to deliver the message to the audience in the simplest way possible. Yet, when they mix jargon, the writing fails to express the message's intent. At best, jargon should not be used unless the writer clarifies its context so that readers can stay compliant and continue reading.


Using these technical terms with a target audience helps instantly identify you are a trustworthy peer in the industry. This can help you establish your audience’s confidence in your credentials or ability to speak about a subject quickly and effectively. This can also help you communicate more succinctly and effectively with this particular audience.


A syllable reiterated in a group will be recognized as jargon by those in the group; yet, a person from outside who does not understand will eventually learn about it.


Reasons to Avoid It


The following are a few reasons to avoid the use of jargon:


1.Clarity


The use of words or phrases that hinder the piece's intent and induce the reader to get bored should be avoided. There should be clarity in the simplest terms so that readers do not need to check the dictionary to grasp what is said.


2. Consistency


It's critical to stay current. Add details pertinent to the topic rather than extraneous and unnecessary facts.


3. Completeness


Information is crucial, but too much of it can be damaging. As a result, it's critical to provide just relevant and limited information that reinforces and solidifies your argument rather than unnecessary information that bores and confuses your audience.


4. Conciseness


Ensure that the words you use are meaningful and directly convey the idea, rather than filler phrases that waltz around the topic and claim no value in the end.


How to Avoid Jargon


The following are a few tips that can help you avoid jargon:


1. Get feedback. Check to ensure whether the message you are trying to convey is familiar to others.
2. Re-evaluate your writing to ensure that it was not used.
3. Remove any confusing wording that may cause the reader to become confused.
4. Examine your audience. Assess whether or not the audience you are attempting to transmit the message to will be able to comprehend it.


Conclusion


The primary goal of writing is to express information as clearly as possible. On the other hand, the usage of jargon can make it a lot more complicated for readers unfamiliar with the topic. That is why it's critical to avoid jargon whenever possible.