AdultB2B
09-11-2009, 01:33 PM
Increasing Readability: Language
The first suggestion when it comes to simplifying your writing is to use SHORT SENTENCES. Avoid the tendency to go on and on and on in a sentence. It makes it difficult for the reader to keep up with you. Instead of putting two ideas into one long sentence, try using two short sentences. You'll find it breaks it up and makes it easier to read. If you want some help with this, go pick up a copy of USA Today. It's a well-known fact that USA Today is written on a low reading level, which is good. That increases the overall readability. Go read any article out of that paper and you'll quickly see what I mean about using short sentences.
The second suggestion is just flat-out use SIMPLER LANGUAGE. Here are a few rules of thumb that I employ. Use familiar words instead of words that are far-fetched. Use a concrete word instead of an abstract one. Choose short words instead of long words. I think the best way to illustrate this is with a list of complicated words and their more simplified equivalents:
Instead of: Encourage
Use: Urge
Instead of: Continue
Use: Keep up
Instead of: Supplement
Use: Add to
Instead of: Acquire
Use: Get or gain
Instead of: Along the Lines of
Use: Like
Instead of: As to
Use: About
Instead of: For the reason that
Use: Since
Instead of: In order to
Use: To
Instead of: In the event of
Use: If
Instead of: In accordance with
Use: By or under
Instead of: Prior to
Use: Before
Instead of: With regard to
Use: About
Instead of: Accordingly
Use: So
Instead of: Likewise
Use: And, also
Instead of: Nevertheless
Use: But, however
See how that will lighten up your writing and make it more conversational?
More on the subject on Monday.
Have a great weekend!
For more information SUBSCRIBE (https://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/subscription.php?username=nickcage49&newsletter_id=1409757795) to our new weekly marketing newsletter.
The first suggestion when it comes to simplifying your writing is to use SHORT SENTENCES. Avoid the tendency to go on and on and on in a sentence. It makes it difficult for the reader to keep up with you. Instead of putting two ideas into one long sentence, try using two short sentences. You'll find it breaks it up and makes it easier to read. If you want some help with this, go pick up a copy of USA Today. It's a well-known fact that USA Today is written on a low reading level, which is good. That increases the overall readability. Go read any article out of that paper and you'll quickly see what I mean about using short sentences.
The second suggestion is just flat-out use SIMPLER LANGUAGE. Here are a few rules of thumb that I employ. Use familiar words instead of words that are far-fetched. Use a concrete word instead of an abstract one. Choose short words instead of long words. I think the best way to illustrate this is with a list of complicated words and their more simplified equivalents:
Instead of: Encourage
Use: Urge
Instead of: Continue
Use: Keep up
Instead of: Supplement
Use: Add to
Instead of: Acquire
Use: Get or gain
Instead of: Along the Lines of
Use: Like
Instead of: As to
Use: About
Instead of: For the reason that
Use: Since
Instead of: In order to
Use: To
Instead of: In the event of
Use: If
Instead of: In accordance with
Use: By or under
Instead of: Prior to
Use: Before
Instead of: With regard to
Use: About
Instead of: Accordingly
Use: So
Instead of: Likewise
Use: And, also
Instead of: Nevertheless
Use: But, however
See how that will lighten up your writing and make it more conversational?
More on the subject on Monday.
Have a great weekend!
For more information SUBSCRIBE (https://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/tools/subscription.php?username=nickcage49&newsletter_id=1409757795) to our new weekly marketing newsletter.