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Changes for page Simple sentences

Last modified by Lizzie Bruce on 2020/01/11 23:51
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Title
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1 -Clear language
1 +Simple sentences
Parent
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1 -Main.WebHome
1 +Plain English.WebHome
Author
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1 -xwiki:XWiki.LizzieBruce
1 +XWiki.XWikiGuest
Content
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1 -(% class="wikigeneratedid" %)
2 -Plain English
1 +(% class="box" %)
2 +(((
3 +Following this helps:
3 3  
4 -Make content clear and understandable, to open the web up for users with different literacy levels and access challenges.
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 +)))
5 5  
6 -WCAG states that "using the clearest and simplest language appropriate is highly desirable."
13 +==
14 +Guidelines ==
7 7  
8 -The United Nations recommends plain language for communications.
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 -=== 1. Choose easy and short words not formal, long ones. ===
12 12  
13 -Use ‘buy’ instead of ‘purchase’, ‘help’ instead of ‘assist’, and ‘about’ instead of ‘approximately’.
19 +(% class="wikigeneratedid" id="H1.MakeyouraveragesentenceA015wordslong." %)
20 +[[1. Make your average sentence 15 words long.>>doc:||anchor="#1"]]
14 14  
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.
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"]]
16 16  
17 17  
18 -=== 2. Jargon and buzzwords are unlikely to be clear language. ===
29 +----
19 19  
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.
31 +== ==
21 21  
33 +=== {{id name="#1"/}}1. Make your average sentence 15 words long. ===
22 22  
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 +
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
42 +
43 +
23 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.
26 26  
46 +(% class="mark" %)This sentence is about 15 words long and is easy to understand. (%%)
47 +
27 27  
28 -=== 3. Write conversationally. ===
49 +=== {{id name="#2"/}}2. Avoid complex sentence structures. ===
29 29  
30 -Picture your audience and write as if you were talking directly to them, with the authority of someone who can help and inform.
51 +They are less easy to comprehend quickly. Understanding them requires more cognitive effort than simple sentences.
52 +
31 31  
54 +Complexity depends on:
32 32  
33 -=== 4. Test your content with users ===
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 +
34 34  
35 -What is 'plain' for one person may not be for someone else.
60 +Example:
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
36 36  
37 37  
38 -== Usability evidence ==
65 +----
39 39  
40 -[[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.
67 +== {{id name="#UESS"/}}Usability evidence: simple sentences ==
41 41  
42 -[['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.
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
43 43  
44 -[['Plain Language Is for Everyone, Even Experts'>>url:https://www.nngroup.com/articles/plain-language-experts/]], H. Loranger, Nielsen Norman Group, 2017
71 +[[Writing for GOV.UK>>url:https://www.gov.uk/guidance/content-design/writing-for-gov-uk]], UK Government website
45 45  
46 -[['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
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
47 47  
48 -[['Strengthening plain language'>>url:http://www.iplfederation.org/]], International Plain Language Federation. Undated.
75 +[['Content design'>>url:https://contentdesign.london/book/]], Sarah Richards, 2017
49 49  
50 -[[Plain Language Commission style guide>>url:https://www.clearest.co.uk/plain-language-commission-style-guide]], Plain Language Commission, 2011
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
51 51  
52 -[['The principles of readability'>>url:http://www.impact-information.com/impactinfo/readability02.pdf]], Impact Information, William H. DuBay, 2004
79 +[['Indlish: The book for every English-speaking Indian'>>http://www.vivagroupindia.com/frmBookDetail.aspx?BookId=5020&Status=C]], J. Sanyal, 2006. Book.
53 53  
54 -[[Plain language entry>>url:https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plain_language]], Wikipedia, last updated 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
55 55  
56 -== Usability evidence ==
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
57 57  
58 -[[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.
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
59 59  
60 -[['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.
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
61 61  
62 -[['Plain Language Is for Everyone, Even Experts'>>url:https://www.nngroup.com/articles/plain-language-experts/]], H. Loranger, Nielsen Norman Group, 2017
89 +[[Reading Level>>url:https://www.w3.org/TR/UNDERSTANDING-WCAG20/meaning-supplements.html]], Understanding SC 3.1.5, WCAG, 2008
63 63  
64 -[['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
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
65 65  
66 -[['Strengthening plain language'>>url:http://www.iplfederation.org/]], International Plain Language Federation. Undated.
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
67 67  
68 -[[Plain Language Commission style guide>>url:https://www.clearest.co.uk/plain-language-commission-style-guide]], Plain Language Commission, 2011
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
69 69  
70 -[['The principles of readability'>>url:http://www.impact-information.com/impactinfo/readability02.pdf]], Impact Information, William H. DuBay, 2004
97 +[['Writing smaller'>>url:http://clarity-international.net/journals/63.pdf]], Clarity Journal no. 63, 2010
71 71  
72 -[[Plain language entry>>url:https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plain_language]], Wikipedia, last updated 2018
99 +[[Plain Language Commission style guide>>url:https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/aaf9e928/files/uploaded/PLCstyleguide25July2012.pdf]], 2012
73 73  
74 -== Short sentence length ==
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
75 75  
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
76 76  
105 +[['What is plain language?'>>url:https://plainlanguagenetwork.org/plain-language/what-is-plain-language/]], Plain Language Association International, 2015
77 77  
78 -== Simple sentence structure ==
107 +[[Text complexity, ATOS, and Lexile® Measures>>url:https://www.renaissance.com/products/practice/accelerated-reader-360/atos-and-text-complexity/]], Renaissance Learning, 2016
79 79  
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
80 80  
111 +[['How to use Yoast SEO: The readability analysis?'>>url:https://yoast.com/yoast-seo-readability-analysis/]] E. Toonen, Yoast, 2018
81 81  
82 -{{children/}}
113 +[[The Crystal Mark standard>>url:http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/services/crystal-mark/7-the-crystal-mark-standard.html]] Plain English Campaign. Undated.
83 83  
84 84  
85 -
116 +----
117 +
118 +(% class="box" %)
119 +(((
120 +See also:
121 +
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
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1 +Chris in Oslo
Comment
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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
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1 +2019-05-03 15:47:13.0
Icon XWiki.XWikiComments[1]
Author
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1 +Chris in Oslo again
Comment
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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
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1 +2019-05-03 15:53:50.839