Skip to Content

Changes for page Simple sentences

Last modified by Lizzie Bruce on 2020/01/11 23:51
From version Icon 2.14 Icon
edited by Lizzie Bruce
on 2019/03/07 11:55
Change comment: There is no comment for this version
To version Icon 5.5 Icon
edited by Lizzie Bruce
on 2019/05/21 09:25
Change comment: Added comment

Summary

Details

Icon Page properties
Title
... ... @@ -1,1 +1,1 @@
1 -Clear language
1 +Simple sentences
Parent
... ... @@ -1,1 +1,1 @@
1 -Main.WebHome
1 +Plain English.WebHome
Content
... ... @@ -1,103 +1,126 @@
1 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
2 -This helps:
1 +(% class="box" %)
2 +(((
3 +Following this helps:
3 3  
4 -* **people in a hurry** – simply written content is easier to scan and absorb instantly
5 -* **cognitive impairments** – easy to understand words and sentences need less cognition
6 -* **visual impairments** – short and simple sentences convey meaning in a smaller field of focus
7 -* **motor impairments** – it's less tiring when you can understand what you read quickly
5 +* **people in a hurry** – simply written content is easier to scan and absorb instantly
6 +* **people who are stressed** – if you're anxious you find it harder to comprehend things
7 +* **people who are multi-tasking** – if you're distracted it's hard to comprehend convoluted structures
8 +* **cognitive impairments** – shorter, non-complex sentences carry less cognitive load
9 +* **visual impairments** – short, simple sentences convey meaning in a smaller visual field
10 +* **motor impairments** – clear, concise content is shorted so requires less navigation
11 +)))
8 8  
13 +==
14 +Guidelines ==
9 9  
16 +Short, simple sentences are better on the web than long, protracted prose with complex syntax. WCAG says: "using the clearest and simplest language appropriate is highly desirable."
10 10  
11 -== Guidelines ==
12 12  
13 -[[Plain English>>Plain English||anchor="pe"]]
19 +(% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H1.MakeyouraveragesentenceA015wordslong." %)
20 +[[1. Make your average sentence 15 words long.>>doc:||anchor="#1"]]
14 14  
15 -[[Sentence length>> ||anchor="ssl"]]
22 +(% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H2.A0Avoidcomplexsentencestructures." %)
23 +[[2. Avoid complex sentence structures.>>doc:||anchor="#2"]]
16 16  
17 -Sentence structure
18 -
19 -Specialist terms
20 -
21 21  (% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
22 -Words to avoid
26 +[[Usability evidence>>doc:||anchor="#UESS"]]
27 +
23 23  
29 +----
24 24  
25 -== {{id name="pe"/}}Plain English ==
31 +== ==
26 26  
27 -Make content clear and understandable, to open the web up for users with different literacy levels and access challenges.
33 +=== {{id name="#1"/}}1. Make your average sentence 15 words long. ===
28 28  
29 -WCAG states that "using the clearest and simplest language appropriate is highly desirable."
35 +The maximum sentence length for a good level of comprehension is 25 words. Split long sentences up into 2 or 3, or use bullet points.
30 30  
31 -The United Nations recommends plain language for communications.
37 +Oxford Guide to plain English, GOV.UK and linguists agree:
38 +
39 +* 15 word sentences are more likely to be comprehensible
40 +* 25 words is a good maximum sentence length limit
41 +* above 40 words sentences are hard to comprehend easily
32 32  
33 33  
34 -=== 1. Choose easy and short words not formal, long ones. ===
44 +Example:
35 35  
36 -Use ‘buy’ instead of ‘purchase’, ‘help’ instead of ‘assist’, and ‘about’ instead of ‘approximately’.
37 -
38 -Write for the reading comprehension of a 9 year old. This helps you reach the most users and makes your content easy to scan.
46 +(% class="mark" %)This sentence is about 15 words long and is easy to understand. (%%)
39 39  
40 40  
41 -=== 2. Jargon and buzzwords are unlikely to be clear language. ===
49 +=== {{id name="#2"/}}2. Avoid complex sentence structures. ===
42 42  
43 -Often, these words are too general and vague and can lead to misinterpretation or empty, meaningless text. Avoid them. Instead, think about what the term actually means and describe that. Be open and specific.
51 +They are less easy to comprehend quickly. Understanding them requires more cognitive effort than simple sentences.
52 +
44 44  
54 +Complexity depends on:
45 45  
56 +* number of clauses in a sentence, the more clauses the more complex it is
57 +* distribution of associated words across the sentence – how easily can the brain 'parse a phrase': recognise, connect and comprehend words that together convey meaning
58 +
59 +
46 46  Example:
47 -"Let's touch base in 10 and do some blue sky thinking." This uses jargon.
48 -"Let's meet in 10 minutes to think of some ideas." Conveys same meaning using clear language.
61 +\\(% class="mark" %)"The red fox jumped over the gate." – easier to understand 
62 +"The fox, which was red, over the gate jumped." – harder to understand
49 49  
50 50  
51 -=== 3. Write conversationally. ===
65 +----
52 52  
53 -Picture your audience and write as if you were talking directly to them, with the authority of someone who can help and inform.
67 +== {{id name="#UESS"/}}Usability evidence: simple sentences ==
54 54  
69 +[[Oxford Guide to plain English>>https://global.oup.com/academic/product/oxford-guide-to-plain-english-9780199669172?cc=gb&lang=en&]] , Oxford University Press, 2013
55 55  
56 -=== 4. Test your content with users ===
71 +[[Writing for GOV.UK>>url:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/content-design/writing-for-gov-uk]], UK Government website
57 57  
58 -What is 'plain' for one person may not be for someone else.
73 +[['Sentence length: why 25 words is our limit'>>url:https://insidegovuk.blog.gov.uk/2014/08/04/sentence-length-why-25-words-is-our-limit/]], Inside GOV.UK, UK Government blog, 2014
59 59  
75 +[['Content design'>>url:https://contentdesign.london/book/]], Sarah Richards, 2017
60 60  
61 -== Usability evidence for plain English ==
77 +[['Short sentences boost readability. Nearly 140 years of research proves it'>>https://www.wyliecomm.com/2018/08/short-sentences-boost-readability/]] A. Wylie, a collection of studies since 1880s, 2018
62 62  
63 -[[Guideline 3.1 Readable: Make text content readable and understandable.>>url:https://www.w3.org/TR/UNDERSTANDING-WCAG20/meaning-supplements.html]], Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, 2008.
79 +[['Indlish: The book for every English-speaking Indian'>>http://www.vivagroupindia.com/frmBookDetail.aspx?BookId=5020&Status=C]], J. Sanyal, 2006. Book.
64 64  
65 -[['Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities'>>url:http://templatelab.com/convention-on-the-rights-of-persons-with-disabilities/]], page 4 Article 2, Definitions, The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, 2018.
81 +[['The role of word difficulty and sentence length in text comprehension'>>https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED215330]], T. M. Duffy and P. K. U'Ren, 1982
66 66  
67 -[['Plain Language Is for Everyone, Even Experts'>>url:https://www.nngroup.com/articles/plain-language-experts/]], H. Loranger, Nielsen Norman Group, 2017
83 +[['The Influence of Semantics and Syntax on What Readers Remember'>>url:https://www.hcde.washington.edu/files/people/docs/Isakson_Spyridakis_Sem_Syn.pdf]], C. S. Isakson and J. H. Spyridakis, 1999
68 68  
69 -[['The Public Speaks: An Empirical Study of Legal Communication'>>url:https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1843415]], C. R. Trudeau in 14 Scribes J. Leg. Writing 121 2012
85 +[['How the brain attunes to sentence processing: Relating behavior, structure, and function'>>url:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4819595/]], A. Fengler, L. Meyer, A. D. Friederici, National Center for Biotechnology Information
70 70  
71 -[['Strengthening plain language'>>url:http://www.iplfederation.org/]], International Plain Language Federation. Undated.
87 +[['Functional Analysis of Clause Complex in the Language of News Websites Texts: A Comparative Study of Two Articles'>>url:http://www.ijsrp.org/research-paper-0616/ijsrp-p5445.pdf]], F. M. S. Eid, International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications, Volume 6, Issue 6, June 2016
72 72  
73 -[[Plain Language Commission style guide>>url:https://www.clearest.co.uk/plain-language-commission-style-guide]], Plain Language Commission, 2011
89 +[[Reading Level>>url:https://www.w3.org/TR/UNDERSTANDING-WCAG20/meaning-supplements.html]], Understanding SC 3.1.5, WCAG, 2008
74 74  
75 -[['The principles of readability'>>url:http://www.impact-information.com/impactinfo/readability02.pdf]], Impact Information, William H. DuBay, 2004
91 +[['Readability Assessment of Internet-Based Consumer Health Information'>>url:http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/53/10/1310/tab-pdf]], T. M. Walsh and T. A. Volsko in Respiratory Care October 2008, 53 (10) 1310-1315
76 76  
77 -[[Plain language entry>>url:https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plain_language]], Wikipedia, last updated 2018
93 +[['The research basis of plain language techniques: Implications for establishing standards'>>url:https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Karen_Schriver/publication/285927928_The_research_basis_of_plain_language_techniques_Implications_for_establishing_standards/links/5664c50208ae192bbf90aa85/The-research-basis-of-plain-language-techniques-Implications-for-establishing-standards.pdf]], K. Schriver, PhD, Dr. A. L. Cheek, M. Mercer, Center for Plain Language, November 20, 2008, Mexico City
78 78  
95 +[['Readability Levels of Health-Based Websites: From Content to Comprehension'>>url:https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ851863.pdf]], M. Schutten, A. McFarland, PhD, International Electronic Journal of Health Education, 2009, 12:99-107
79 79  
80 -== {{id name="ssl"/}}Short sentence length ==
97 +[['Writing smaller'>>url:http://clarity-international.net/journals/63.pdf]], Clarity Journal no. 63, 2010
81 81  
99 +[[Plain Language Commission style guide>>url:https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/aaf9e928/files/uploaded/PLCstyleguide25July2012.pdf]], 2012
82 82  
101 +[['Shorter Lines Facilitate Reading in Those Who Struggle'>>url:https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0071161]], M. H. Schneps , J. M. Thomson, G. Sonnert, M. Pomplun, C. Chen, A. Heffner-Wong, 2013
83 83  
84 -== Simple sentence structure ==
103 +[['Towards a better measure of readability: Explanation of empirical performance results'>>url:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/00437956.1989.11435805]], L. A. Olsen, R. Johnson, Taylor and Francis Group, 2015
85 85  
105 +[['What is plain language?'>>url:https://plainlanguagenetwork.org/plain-language/what-is-plain-language/]], Plain Language Association International, 2015
86 86  
87 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
88 -Here's some sector specific guidance:
107 +[[Text complexity, ATOS, and Lexile® Measures>>url:https://www.renaissance.com/products/practice/accelerated-reader-360/atos-and-text-complexity/]], Renaissance Learning, 2016
89 89  
90 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
91 -Legal
109 +[['Understanding Plain English summaries. A comparison of two approaches to improve the quality of Plain English summaries in research reports.'>>url:https://researchinvolvement.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40900-017-0064-0]] E. Kirkpatrick, W. Gaisford, E. Williams, E. Brindley, D. Tembo, D. Wright, 2017
92 92  
93 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
94 -Medical
111 +[['How to use Yoast SEO: The readability analysis?'>>url:https://yoast.com/yoast-seo-readability-analysis/]] E. Toonen, Yoast, 2018
95 95  
96 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
97 -Financial
113 +[[The Crystal Mark standard>>url:http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/services/crystal-mark/7-the-crystal-mark-standard.html]] Plain English Campaign. Undated.
98 98  
99 99  
100 -{{children/}}
116 +----
101 101  
118 +(% class="box" %)
119 +(((
120 +See also:
102 102  
103 -
122 +* [[Plain English>>doc:Plain English.Plain English, simple sentences.WebHome]]
123 +* [[Specialist terms>>doc:Plain English.Specialist terms.WebHome]]
124 +* [[Law, medicine, money>>doc:Plain English.Medical.WebHome]]
125 +* [[Words to avoid>>doc:Plain English.Words to avoid.WebHome]]
126 +)))
Icon XWiki.XWikiComments[0]
Author
... ... @@ -1,0 +1,1 @@
1 +Chris in Oslo
Comment
... ... @@ -1,0 +1,1 @@
1 +It's my experience that when you say to people "X should be on average Y long", they hear "X should be at least Y long". They get hung up on the number and think they have to reach it. I could absolutely imagine that people who are not experienced (usually exactly the ones who want clear and explicit guidance) will see this and make sentences *longer* because theirs is only 10 words. TL;DR: I don't think is bad advice, but I do think people are bad at averaging and bad at understanding that X limit does not mean "write X much" :)
Date
... ... @@ -1,0 +1,1 @@
1 +2019-05-03 15:47:13.0
Icon XWiki.XWikiComments[1]
Author
... ... @@ -1,0 +1,1 @@
1 +Chris in Oslo again
Comment
... ... @@ -1,0 +1,1 @@
1 +I'm trying to think about how I would write guidelines in a way that would mitigate what I wrote above. My experience has been that people remember the number much better than the precise thing you were trying to convey with the number (which is why we have truthy-but-wrong memes like "you only use 10% of your brain.) I guess I'm missing something above that says "Make sentences as short as possible by introducing one idea at a time" or similar?
Date
... ... @@ -1,0 +1,1 @@
1 +2019-05-03 15:53:50.0
Icon XWiki.XWikiComments[2]
Author
... ... @@ -1,0 +1,1 @@
1 +xwiki:XWiki.LizzieBruce
Comment
... ... @@ -1,0 +1,1 @@
1 +Ah, good point Chris. Will revisit this guidance wording! Thanks for the suggested alternative.
Date
... ... @@ -1,0 +1,1 @@
1 +2019-05-21 10:25:03.202