Skip to Content

Changes for page Simple sentences

Last modified by Lizzie Bruce on 2020/01/11 23:51
From version Icon 2.35 Icon
edited by Lizzie Bruce
on 2019/03/08 23:05
Change comment: There is no comment for this version
To version Icon 2.7 Icon
edited by Lizzie Bruce
on 2019/03/07 11:14
Change comment: There is no comment for this version

Summary

Details

Icon Page properties
Title
... ... @@ -1,1 +1,1 @@
1 -Simple sentences
1 +Clear language
Parent
... ... @@ -1,1 +1,1 @@
1 -Plain English.WebHome
1 +Main.WebHome
Content
... ... @@ -1,125 +1,122 @@
1 -(% class="box" %)
2 -(((
3 -Following this helps:
1 +(% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
2 +Plain English
4 4  
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** – it's less tiring when you can absorb what you read quickly
11 -)))
4 +Make content clear and understandable, to open the web up for users with different literacy levels and access challenges.
12 12  
13 -==
14 -Guidelines ==
6 +WCAG states that "using the clearest and simplest language appropriate is highly desirable."
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.
8 +The United Nations recommends plain language for communications.
9 +
17 17  
11 +=== 1. Choose easy and short words not formal, long ones. ===
18 18  
19 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H1.MakeyouraveragesentenceA015wordslong." %)
20 -[[1. Make your average sentence 15 words long.>>doc:||anchor="#1"]]
13 +Use ‘buy’ instead of ‘purchase’, ‘help’ instead of ‘assist’, and ‘about’ instead of ‘approximately’.
21 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"]]
15 +Write for the reading comprehension of a 9 year old. This helps you reach the most users and makes your content easy to scan.
27 27  
28 28  
29 -----
18 +=== 2. Jargon and buzzwords are unlikely to be clear language. ===
30 30  
31 -== ==
20 +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.
32 32  
33 -=== {{id name="#1"/}}1. Make your average sentence 15 words long. ===
34 34  
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.
23 +Example:
24 +"Let's touch base in 10 and do some blue sky thinking." This uses jargon.
25 +"Let's meet in 10 minutes to think of some ideas." Conveys same meaning using clear language.
36 36  
37 -Oxford Guide to plain English, GOV.UK and linguists agree:
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 -
28 +=== 3. Write conversationally. ===
43 43  
44 -Example:
30 +Picture your audience and write as if you were talking directly to them, with the authority of someone who can help and inform.
45 45  
46 -(% class="mark" %)This sentence is about 15 words long and is easy to understand.
47 47  
48 -=== {{id name="#2"/}}2. Avoid complex sentence structures. ===
33 +=== 4. Test your content with users ===
49 49  
50 -They are less easy to comprehend quickly. Understanding them requires more cognitive effort than simple sentences.
35 +What is 'plain' for one person may not be for someone else.
36 +
37 +
38 +(% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
39 +Plain English
40 +
41 +Make content clear and understandable, to open the web up for users with different literacy levels and access challenges.
42 +
43 +WCAG states that "using the clearest and simplest language appropriate is highly desirable."
44 +
45 +The United Nations recommends plain language for communications.
51 51  
52 52  
53 -Complexity depends on:
48 +=== 1. Choose easy and short words not formal, long ones. ===
54 54  
55 -* number of clauses in a sentence, the more clauses the more complex it is
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
50 +Use ‘buy’ instead of ‘purchase’, ‘help’ instead of ‘assist’, and ‘about’ instead of ‘approximately’.
51 +
52 +Write for the reading comprehension of a 9 year old. This helps you reach the most users and makes your content easy to scan.
57 57  
58 58  
55 +=== 2. Jargon and buzzwords are unlikely to be clear language. ===
56 +
57 +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.
58 +
59 +
59 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
61 +"Let's touch base in 10 and do some blue sky thinking." This uses jargon.
62 +"Let's meet in 10 minutes to think of some ideas." Conveys same meaning using clear language.
62 62  
63 63  
64 -----
65 +=== 3. Write conversationally. ===
65 65  
66 -== {{id name="#UESS"/}}Usability evidence: simple sentences ==
67 +Picture your audience and write as if you were talking directly to them, with the authority of someone who can help and inform.
67 67  
68 -Oxford Guide to plain English
69 69  
70 -Jyoti Sanyal 'Indlish'
70 +=== 4. Test your content with users ===
71 71  
72 -Author Ann Wylie
72 +What is 'plain' for one person may not be for someone else.
73 73  
74 -[[Writing for GOV.UK>>url:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/content-design/writing-for-gov-uk]], UK Government website
75 75  
76 -[['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
75 +== Usability evidence ==
77 77  
78 -[['Content design'>>url:https://contentdesign.london/book/]], Sarah Richards, 2017
77 +[[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 79  
80 -[['The role of word difficulty and sentence length in text comprehension'>>url:https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a114935.pdf]], T. M. Duffy and P. K. U'Ren, 1982
79 +[['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 81  
82 -[['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
81 +[['Plain Language Is for Everyone, Even Experts'>>url:https://www.nngroup.com/articles/plain-language-experts/]], H. Loranger, Nielsen Norman Group, 2017
83 83  
84 -[['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
83 +[['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 85  
86 -[['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
85 +[['Strengthening plain language'>>url:http://www.iplfederation.org/]], International Plain Language Federation. Undated.
87 87  
88 -[[Reading Level>>url:https://www.w3.org/TR/UNDERSTANDING-WCAG20/meaning-supplements.html]], Understanding SC 3.1.5, WCAG, 2008
87 +[[Plain Language Commission style guide>>url:https://www.clearest.co.uk/plain-language-commission-style-guide]], Plain Language Commission, 2011
89 89  
90 -[['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
89 +[['The principles of readability'>>url:http://www.impact-information.com/impactinfo/readability02.pdf]], Impact Information, William H. DuBay, 2004
91 91  
92 -[['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]], Karen Schriver, PhD, Dr. A. L. Cheek, M. Mercer, Center for Plain Language, November 20, 2008, Mexico City
91 +[[Plain language entry>>url:https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plain_language]], Wikipedia, last updated 2018
93 93  
94 -[['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
93 +== Usability evidence ==
95 95  
96 -[['Writing smaller'>>url:http://clarity-international.net/journals/63.pdf]], Clarity Journal no. 63, 2010
95 +[[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.
97 97  
98 -[[Plain Language Commission style guide>>url:https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/aaf9e928/files/uploaded/PLCstyleguide25July2012.pdf]], 2012
97 +[['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.
99 99  
100 -[['Shorter Lines Facilitate Reading in Those Who Struggle'>>url:https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0071161]], Matthew H. Schneps , Jenny M. Thomson, Gerhard Sonnert, Marc Pomplun, Chen Chen, Amanda Heffner-Wong, 2013
99 +[['Plain Language Is for Everyone, Even Experts'>>url:https://www.nngroup.com/articles/plain-language-experts/]], H. Loranger, Nielsen Norman Group, 2017
101 101  
102 -[['Towards a better measure of readability: Explanation of empirical performance results'>>url:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/00437956.1989.11435805]], Leslie A. Olsen & Rod Johnson, Taylor & Francis Group, 2015
101 +[['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
103 103  
104 -[['What is plain language?'>>url:https://plainlanguagenetwork.org/plain-language/what-is-plain-language/]], Plain Language Association International, 2015
103 +[['Strengthening plain language'>>url:http://www.iplfederation.org/]], International Plain Language Federation. Undated.
105 105  
106 -[[Text complexity, ATOS, and Lexile® Measures>>url:https://www.renaissance.com/products/practice/accelerated-reader-360/atos-and-text-complexity/]], Renaissance Learning, 2016
105 +[[Plain Language Commission style guide>>url:https://www.clearest.co.uk/plain-language-commission-style-guide]], Plain Language Commission, 2011
107 107  
108 -[['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]] 2017
107 +[['The principles of readability'>>url:http://www.impact-information.com/impactinfo/readability02.pdf]], Impact Information, William H. DuBay, 2004
109 109  
110 -[['How to use Yoast SEO: The readability analysis?'>>url:https://yoast.com/yoast-seo-readability-analysis/]] Edwin Toonen, Yoast, 2018
109 +[[Plain language entry>>url:https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plain_language]], Wikipedia, last updated 2018
111 111  
112 -[[The Crystal Mark standard>>url:http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/services/crystal-mark/7-the-crystal-mark-standard.html]] Plain English Campaign, undated
111 +== Short sentence length ==
113 113  
114 114  
115 -----
116 116  
117 -(% class="box" %)
118 -(((
119 -See also:
115 +== Simple sentence structure ==
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 -)))
117 +
118 +
119 +{{children/}}
120 +
121 +
122 +