Writing with Short Words to Save Space on Mobile Platforms

By Ugur Akinci

© Ugur Akinci
When writing for small-screen mobile platforms like smart phones and pads the real estate is at a premium. The screens are so small, the technical writers must express procedures by using as short words and phrases as possible.
Here is the screen provided by Joe Welinske during an STC Washington D.C. Baltimore chapter presentation that inspired me to do a little research of my own on this emergent issue:
Joe Welinske Short words
Here are my own additions to this list:

Replace

With

To save (digits)
Accomplish Do 8
Accurate Right 3
Acquire Get 4
Additional Extra 5
Advise Tell 2
Application Use 8
Approximate About 6
Assistance Help 6
Attempt Try 4
At the present time Now 16
Authorize Allow 4
Because of the fact that Since 19
Capability Ability 3
Combined Joint 3
Comply with Follow 5
Component Part 5
Currently Now 6
Convene Meet 3
Demonstrate Show 7
Discontinue Drop / Stop 7
During the period During 11
Economical Cheap 5
Employ Use 3
Endeavor Try 5
Equitable Fair 5
Facilitate Help 6
Finalize Finish 2
Frequently Often 5
Identical Same 5
In an effort to To 13
Indicate Say / Show 5 / 4
In favor of For 8
Initiate Start 3
In order to To 9
In the event of If 13
Is authorized to May 13
Magnitude Size 5
Modify Edit 2
Methodology Method 5
Multiple Many 4
Necessitate Cause 6
Not many Few 5
Numerous Many 4
Objective Aim / Goal 6 / 5
Obtain Get 3
Operate Run / Use 4
Optimum Best 3
Particulars Details 4
Regarding About 4
Represents Is 8
Request Ask 4
Similar to Like 6
Terminate End 6
Transmit Send 4
Utilize Use 4
Variation Change 3
With reference to About 12
Whether or not Whether 7

 Check this Wikipedia article for more options and suggestions.

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