They say that for the web you should write simply as you say above, the level of a third grader I think it was.

As you say, it is to get your point across and not to sound like a smarty pants. One day, I hope to be one, but then no one will want to listen to what I have to say. He he..

As copywriters we are not writing for ourselves or to show off our prowess. We write best when we know our audiences and write directly, clearly, and cleanly as one of them.

I trained as a playwright and I find that my writing follows my ear. If I can listen to a subject matter expert in the field, I can find a successful voice to write in. It’s very different from reading what they write, which can be jargon filled and stiff. Hearing them talk about the subject, their experience, and the problems and issues they face makes it so much easier for me to write naturally for the intended audience.

I feel the most intellectual, the most powerful as a writer, when I completely disappear.
.-= Randy Murray´s last blog ..Writing Assignment: Capturing Dialog =-.

I don’t see this as a problem. In fact, I recently wrote an article about the awful, nearly unreadable English on numerous blogs these days.
http://www.weblogredux.com/you-are-what-you-write/

I believe there is a more serious problem with people who don’t know how to write well enough to effectively communicate. Many of the A-Listers encourage poor writing. The idea is, post often, don’t worry about the writing, just get your content out there every day.

I don’t like the idea of dumbing down communication anymore than it already is. This is not to say that effectual writing has to be dull or pedantic, or make use of ten dollar words. Simply write for your audience, and use the best style of proper English you can.

Thanks for bringing up this subject. And thanks for giving me the opportunity to give my opinion.