Reckless writing’ refers to preparing a document without a deliberate and considered concern for the intended reader, or class of readers, and how it will be understood. Like reckless driving, it’s just doing what you think is OK without properly considering the consequences.
Reckless writing can result in documents being difficult to read and understand. Readers may miss important information or misunderstand some concepts.
When reckless writing finds its way into business or government documents, readers may be disadvantaged. There are some cases where courts have ruled that difficult to read documents may be set aside. (references needed here)Publishing or using a document that has been recklessly written may expose an organisation to legal action.
The antidote to reckless writing is to write using plain language, and to incorporate appropriate user testing in the document development process.
(The term 'reckless writing' was first used by Think-write Consulting in a post published 19 Aug 2016.