Improve sentence readability

https://readable.com/blog/improve-the-readability-of-your-writing-in-60-seconds/

10 quick strategies to improve readability

From using concise words and sentences to using similes and metaphors to engage readers, writers can improve the readability of their copy in a number of ways. Below are ten tips to help you improve the readability of your writing in 60 seconds.

1 | use concise sentences

Short sentences help readers absorb information quickly and easily. Based on several studies, press associations in the USA have laid down a readability table.

Their survey shows readers find sentences of 8 words or less very easy to read; 11 words, easy; 14 words fairly easy; 17 words standard; 21 words fairly difficult; 25 words difficult and 29 words or more, very difficult.

2 | choose short words whenever possible

The length of the words you choose is just as important as the length of your sentences. Using words with multiple syllables can make content more difficult to understand, increasing the likelihood that your readers may miss your key points.

Choosing short words is recommended as they can help readers grasp the meaning of your copy more easily.

3 | avoid complicated language

Your audience should never have to stop reading to try to decipher your message. Stopping to contemplate the meaning of complicated language puts a damper on the reader experience and leaves the reader prone to distractibility.

The best way to avoid this phenomenon is to use clear, simple language to convey your message. Writing in plain language helps your audience understand your content the first time they read your copy.

4 | if you must use obscure language, provide an explanation

There are times when using complicated language may be appropriate or even required. For instance, quoting an industry expert or outlining key technical points is sometimes necessary.

However, you should also include a description or explanation of the obscure phrase in parentheses after the phrase. Failure to provide a description can cause the reader to lose interest in the copy.

5 | use the active voice rather than the passive voice

Active voice is recommended for most non-scientific writing because it prevents sentences from becoming too complex or lengthy.

Writers can convey action in active voice using fewer words than active voice, creating a more concise copy.

6 | break up your content into small paragraphs

Facing a massive wall of uninterrupted text can produce unintended consequences among readers. Rather than sparking a reader’s interest, lengthy paragraphs can cause readers’ eyes to glaze over or cause them to prematurely abandon your copy.

Experts recommend the following guidelines when constructing paragraphs:

• Each paragraph should focus on one single idea or concept

• Include three to five sentences in each paragraph

• Look at each page to see if your paragraphs are balanced

7 | include headings to transition from one section of copy to the next

Headings provide your audience with an idea of the content they are about to read. More important, headings promote readability in the following ways:

• Headings provide an organized framework for content

• They separate copy into manageable sections

• Headings make it easy for busy professionals to scan your copy

• They make copy more visually appealing

8 | use similes, analogies, and metaphors to engage readers

Keeping readers engaged is one of the greatest challenges a writer faces. Fostering engagement requires writers to make content relevant and interesting to readers. Similes, metaphors, and analogies help bring life to dry topics and are useful in explaining technical content.

9 | measure the readability of your copy

A key step to take before finalizing your copy is to assess its effectiveness using a proven scoring system. Check the Library section of Scribo to get a readability reading per paragraph and sentence:

• Conduct a sentiment analysis to assess whether your copy is positive, negative or neutral

• Measure the time it takes to read your copy

• Screen for keyword density

10 | have a second set of eyes review your copy

Asking a colleague or friend to review your copy will help identify grammatical mistakes and other errors that you may have missed. More important, this measure will help ensure that your copy is visually appealing and that it properly conveys key points to readers.