A Checklist to See if Your Content is Readable
Think about a time when you had to explain something you know well. It’s easy to forget that others might not understand the jargon. Like the first time you did laundry—if someone just said, "Turn the dial to the appropriate setting, pour the detergent in the receptacle, and remove the lint from the vent before drying," you’d probably be confused. Without knowing what detergent is or where the vent is located, the instructions wouldn’t be very helpful.
The same goes for any type of communication, whether it’s highly scientific, government policy, or general messaging. If your audience doesn’t understand your message, they won’t implement it into action. Frankly, they won’t even care. Before publishing, run your content through this readability checklist.
1. Keep Sentences Short and Simple
Aim for 10- to 12-word sentences.
Use familiar words (e.g., “eye doctor” instead of “ophthalmologist”).
Stick to simple sentence structures: noun + verb + modifier.
Try the read-aloud test: If you have to breathe mid-sentence, it’s too long.a
2. Use Readable Data and Statistics
If your message includes literacy data, make it easy to find.
For county-level stats, check the U.S. Skills Map, National Center for Educational Statistics.
Make comparisons easy to understand with clear visuals and plain language (kind of like the laundry example at the beginning of this post–see what we did there?).
3. Format for Easy Skimming
Use bold headers to highlight key points.
Create mental pictures (e.g., “playing sports” instead of “athletic participation”).
Break up information into lists: “3 ways to improve…”
Embrace blank space for better readability.
4. Make Multi-Language Content Work
Hire a native speaker with field expertise to translate.
Use back translation: Ask someone to paraphrase the message instead of translating word-for-word.
Test comprehension with an audience sample before publishing.
Why This Matters
It’s easy to think technical language makes content sound more credible, but if the audience doesn’t understand, the message gets lost.
Before you hit publish, consider the tips on this list to ensure your content is clear, engaging, and easy to act on.
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