Over the years I've found that these doubts, not stupidity or lack of skill, are the real stumbling blocks to clear writing. You can almost see the struggle going on as they write. Here's an example from a student who wanted to try to write plainly, but who also didn't want to give up the official style. The glass is half empty. The glass is half full.
Conflict is at the very core of human nature.
Man is perfect only when bestowal and denial, humiliation and honor have become alike in his heart. In the Federalist Papers, Publius plays off of two aspects of human nature, conflict and imperfection. The result is a cacophony of voices. Allow me a word of argument, then, if you're doubting whether you should even try to write plainly. That implies certain things.