Changes for page Simple sentences

Last modified by Lizzie Bruce on 2020/01/11 23:51
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edited by Lizzie Bruce
on 2019/03/08 23:05
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To version Icon 2.33 Icon
edited by Lizzie Bruce
on 2019/03/08 22:02
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4 4  
5 5  * **people in a hurry** – simply written content is easier to scan and absorb instantly
6 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** – it's less tiring when you can absorb what you read quickly
7 +* **people who are multi-tasking** – if you're holding a baby or a running business your attention's divided
8 +* **cognitive impairments** – easy to understand words and sentences carry less cognitive load
9 +* **visual impairments** – short and simple sentences convey meaning in a smaller visual field
10 +* **motor impairments** – it's less tiring when you can understand what you read quickly
11 11  )))
12 12  
13 13  ==
14 14  Guidelines ==
15 15  
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." The United Nations recommends plain language for communications.
16 +* [[Simple sentences>>url:https://readabilityguidelines.myxwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Plain%20English/Plain%20English%2C%20simple%20sentences/#ssl]]
17 17  
18 -
19 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H1.MakeyouraveragesentenceA015wordslong." %)
20 -[[1. Make your average sentence 15 words long.>>doc:||anchor="#1"]]
21 -
22 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H2.A0Avoidcomplexsentencestructures." %)
23 -[[2. Avoid complex sentence structures.>>doc:||anchor="#2"]]
24 -
25 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
26 -[[Usability evidence>>doc:||anchor="#UESS"]]
27 -
28 -
29 29  ----
30 30  
31 -== ==
20 +==
21 +Simple sentences ==
32 32  
33 -=== {{id name="#1"/}}1. Make your average sentence 15 words long. ===
23 +=== 1. Make your average sentence 15 words long. ===
34 34  
35 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.
36 36  
37 -Oxford Guide to plain English, GOV.UK and linguists agree:
27 +Oxford Guide to plain English, GOV.UK and linguists agree 15 word sentences are fine but above 40 words is hard to understand.
38 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
42 -
43 43  
44 -Example:
30 +=== 2. Avoid complex sentence structures. ===
45 45  
46 -(% class="mark" %)This sentence is about 15 words long and is easy to understand.
47 -
48 -=== {{id name="#2"/}}2. Avoid complex sentence structures. ===
49 -
50 50  They are less easy to comprehend quickly. Understanding them requires more cognitive effort than simple sentences.
51 51  
52 52  
... ... @@ -56,15 +56,12 @@
56 56  * distribution of associated words across the sentence – how easily can the brain 'parse a phrase': recognise, connect and comprehend words that together convey meaning
57 57  
58 58  
59 -Example:
60 -\\(% class="mark" %)"The red fox jumped over the gate." – easier to understand 
61 -"The fox, which was red, over the gate jumped." – harder to understand
41 +>Example:"The red fox jumped over the gate." – easier to understand 
42 +>"The fox, which was red, over the gate jumped." – harder to understand
62 62  
63 63  
64 -----
45 +== Usability evidence: simple sentences ==
65 65  
66 -== {{id name="#UESS"/}}Usability evidence: simple sentences ==
67 -
68 68  Oxford Guide to plain English
69 69  
70 70  Jyoti Sanyal 'Indlish'
... ... @@ -114,12 +114,9 @@
114 114  
115 115  ----
116 116  
117 -(% class="box" %)
118 -(((
119 119  See also:
120 120  
121 -* [[Plain English>>doc:Plain English.Plain English, simple sentences.WebHome]]
122 -* [[Specialist terms>>doc:Plain English.Specialist terms.WebHome]]
123 -* [[Law, medicine, money>>doc:Plain English.Medical.WebHome]]
124 -* [[Words to avoid>>doc:Plain English.Words to avoid.WebHome]]
125 -)))
98 +* Plain English
99 +* [[Specialist terms>>url:https://readabilityguidelines.myxwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Plain%20English/Plain%20English%2C%20simple%20sentences/#st]]
100 +* [[Law, medicine, money>>url:https://readabilityguidelines.myxwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Plain%20English/Medical/]]
101 +* [[Words to avoid>>url:https://readabilityguidelines.myxwiki.org/xwiki/bin/view/Plain%20English/Words%20to%20avoid/]]