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1-Up Your Writing With Plain Language

Speaker: Ashley Bischoff
twitter: @handcoding
twitter: @FriendlyAshley
Slides: bit.ly/1upslides

Play Language to improve accessibility

  • what makes some writing more complicated?
    • Sentence Length
    • Syllables

Sentence Length

  • Keep sentences short if material is complicated (between 20 / 25 words average)
  • Add variety ( 35 sentences & some with 3 word sentences)

Syllables

  • Syllables are building blocks of words
  • Sometimes long words might be unavoidable
  • Accessibility has 6 syllables

How to cut Syllables

  • PlanLanguage.gov has some examples: http://bit.ly/plainwords
  • Example:
    • prior to -> before
      • 3 syllables -> 2 syllables
      • I proofread the report prior to the meeting
      • I proofread the report before the meeting
    • in order to -> to
      • 4 syllables -> 1 syllables
      • Enable grayscale mode in order to see the page
      • Enable gray scale to see page without colours
    • accordingly / consequently -> so
    • the following -> this
    • however -> but

Contractions

  • do not -> don't
  • cannot -> can't
  • Contractions improve readability

How to check your writing

  • Readability Analyzer
  • Keep your text readable, aim for Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level lower than 9
  • Plain language would also makes accessibility 1. easier to apply 2. easier to "market"

Recap

  • Aim for average sentece of 20-ish words
  • Keep an eye for 3 / 4 syllables words
  • Use contractions
  • Check readability

Resources