"Good writing is like a good recipe: the right ingredients and a pinch of technique make all the difference."
The readability score of your writing matters for two reasons because:
- It measures how easy your writing is to understand.
- It shows how easy your writing is to read.
In other words, a high readability score means that what you write is understandable and effortless to read.
But many factors contribute to readability. So, let's explore those factors and how to improve readability for your readers.
How to Improve Readability
What Is the Readability Score?
The readability score quantifies how easy your writing is to understand.
Readability formulas like the Flesch Kincaid reading ease test measure how easy it is for someone to read a passage.
These tools evaluate text by:
- analyzing syllable count,
- sentence length
- and word difficulty.
Then, they assign a score that suggests the level of education someone might need to understand the content well.
Here's an example from the Hemmingway Editor:
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 5 or below | Very easy to read |
| 6 | Easy to read |
| 7 | Fairly easy to read |
| 8-9 | Plain English |
| 10-11 | Fairly difficult to read |
| 12-14 | Difficult to read |
| 15+ | Very difficult to read |
The point is to assist writers in creating easily readable writing for their audiences.
How Is It Measured?
Readability is often measured using the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level test.
This test assigns a numerical and grade level to a piece of writing.
The score is based on the average number of words per sentence and the average number of syllables per word.
Another example of a readability formula is the Automated Readability Index (ARI).
It's a simple tool that helps predict the grade level required to understand a text.
It's like a math formula. You count the number of characters (not just letters, but any mark-like spaces and punctuation) in the text. Then divide that by the number of words to get a figure.
Next, divide the total word count by the number of sentences. These two numbers get multiplied by 4.71 and 0.5, respectively. Then, you add them together.
Finally, you subtract 21.43 from that sum. The resulting number roughly matches the grade level of education needed to read the text.
So, if you get a 7, it means the text should be understandable for a seventh grader.
Why Is Readability Important?
Readability is a critical metric in writing because it determines how easily people can understand your writing.
People stop reading when writing is hard to understand. But easy-to-read writing keeps people interested.
"Clarity is the way to success. The less fog you have, the further you can go."
What Is a Good Readability Score?
So, what is a good score for readability? Well, it depends on your audience and the type of writing.
Here's an example: you're writing a blog or social media post for online consumption, so you will want a higher score than if you're writing for an audience of academics. Why? Different audiences, different attention spans!
In general, however, a score of 60 or higher is considered good.
What Are the Key Parts of Good Readability?
The main ones are:
- Sentence length
- Word choice
- Pronoun use
- Paragraph length
Sentence Length
A good rule of thumb is to keep your sentences under 20 words long. Short sentences help ensure that people can easily understand what you are trying to say.
"Keep your sentences concise - it’s like a vacation: the shorter and sweeter, the better!"
Word Choice
When choosing words for your sentences, try to use simple and familiar words that people will understand instantly. Avoid jargon, technical terms or slang unless you're sure that your audience understands them.
"Shorter words are like shortcuts - they get you there faster and with less effort!"
Pronoun Use
Pronouns can help make your writing more concise and easier to understand. But too many can make your writing confusing to follow. As a general rule, limit yourself to one pronoun per sentence whenever possible.
"When it comes to pronouns, less is more - don't let your writing become lost in a sea of 'it', 'they', and 'their'!"
Paragraph Length
Longer paragraphs need more effort to read, especially if they contain complex sentences. So, texts with long sentences and paragraphs have lower readability scores.
What To Avoid
There are several things you should avoid if you want a high readability score:
- Too many long sentences
- Unnecessary words
- Long or complicated words when shorter ones will do
- Jargon or slang unless you are sure that your audience will understand it
- Overusing pronouns
- Long paragraphs; 2-3 sentences in each is ideal
How to Score 60+ In Grammarly
Here are some proven strategies for improving readability so that your writing scores 60 or higher in Grammarly's evaluation:
- Keep most sentences under 20 words long
- Organize paragraphs to be concise, 2-3 sentences long
- Use simple words rather then complex words
- Limit how many pronouns you use per sentence
- Try to use active verbs more
- Avoid too many instances of passive sentences
Example: How to increase Grammarly's readability score from 60 - 81
Final Thoughts
"Readability isn't just a nice-to-have, it's a need-to-have!"
Good readability ensures readers will understand your writing easily. easy to read text is critical in online media - because people scan rather than pore over every word.
Your writing will be quicker and easier to read than more complex writing. A good readability score depends on your target market. In general, though, a score of 60 or higher is considered commendable. The main attributes of good readability are average sentence length, word choice, pronoun usage, and paragraph length. Remember these next time you write something for work or pleasure.
So there you have it! By following these key tips you should see a marked improvement in the readability of your writing in Grammarly's evaluation tool - giving you greater confidence when sharing your work with others, knowing they'll understand your message with less effort!
One final note
How does the topic of your writing affect readability?
The topic of your writing certainly can affect its readability. You should consider this when creating content for a blog post or article.
For fashion tips, for example, readers tend to look for a more casual writing style. Writing in a conversational tone with shorter sentences and simpler words can make your content easier to digest.
In contrast, if you need to write a highly technical product description or content for an ebook on a complex topic, you might need to use more complex terms and longer sentences to communicate the information.
No matter what type of content you create, the main aim should be to make it as easy to read and understand as possible. Using the right words and sentence structure can go a long way in increasing readability.
Another factor to consider when trying to improve your content's readability is the structure of the text. Breaking up long paragraphs into shorter ones, using headings and subheadings to separate sections, and using bulleted lists are effective ways to make content easier to scan. Good structure helps readers pick out key points more quickly.
Finally, the use of visuals can also help in increasing overall readability. Images, videos, infographics, and charts are great for breaking up text and helping readers understand complex topics. They can also make the content more engaging, encouraging readers to stay on the page longer.
Finished creating your content?
Try running a readability test to give you an objective view of how easy it is for readers to understand your content.
Readability tools like a the Flesch Kincaid reading ease test, the Hemingway App, or Grammarly can help you gauge the readability of your content.
How to increase readability score in Grammarly
Here's a quick example of how to how to improve readability score on Grammarly.
Before
The first attempt was decent, but it felt a bit... stuffy. Long sentences, formal language, and a structure that didn't quite pop. It was like a good meal that needed some spice.
To boost your readability score, focus on clear, concise writing. Utilize short sentences and simple words when possible. Break up long paragraphs into smaller chunks. This makes your text easier to scan and understand.
As an alternative to using passive voice, try using active voice, which often improves clarity. Instead of "The report was written by the team," try "The team wrote the report." Avoid jargon and explain complex terms if you must use them.
Use transition words to connect ideas smoothly. Words like "however," "therefore," and "meanwhile" guide readers through your text. Bullet points or numbered lists can organize information effectively.
Proofread carefully to catch errors. Typos and grammar mistakes can lower your score. Reading aloud helps spot awkward phrasing.
Finally, consider your audience. Tailor your writing style and vocabulary to their needs and knowledge level.
Here's how I tackled the task
So, I took that same content and gave it a makeover. Here's what I did:
- Chopped up those long sentences. It's like turning a steak into bite-sized pieces - easier to digest.
- Swapped out fancy words for simpler ones. Why say "utilize" when "use" works just fine?
- Added some punch with questions and short, snappy sentences.
- Threw in some "you" language to make it personal. Readers love feeling like you're talking directly to them.
- Embraced white space. Short paragraphs and bullet points give the eyes a break.
After
Want to boost your Grammarly readability score? Here's how:
- Keep it simple. Use short sentences and everyday words. Big blocks of text? Break them up.
- Active voice is your friend. "The team wrote the report" beats "The report was written by the team."
- Ditch the jargon. If you must use complex terms, explain them clearly.
- Connect your ideas smoothly. Use words like "however," "therefore," and "meanwhile" to guide readers.
- Love lists? Use bullet points or numbers to organize information.
- Always proofread. Typos and grammar slip-ups can hurt your score. Try reading out loud to catch awkward phrases.
- Remember your audience. Write in a way that suits their needs and knowledge.
The result? Writing that's not just easier to read, but more engaging too. It's like turning a lecture into a conversation!
Remember, your goal isn't to impress with big words or complex ideas. It's to communicate clearly and keep your reader interested. Think of it as chatting with a friend over coffee, not delivering a speech to Congress.
In my career, as a writer and editor, I've seen countless writers struggle with this. They think formal equals professional. But the real pros? They know how to make complex ideas simple and boring topics interesting.
FAQ | How to Improve the Readability of Writing
What is the highest readability score on grammarly?
The highest readability score grammarly gives = 100. Remember, what a good score is depends on who you are writing for! Generally, around 60 is easy to read.
Do bullet points affect readability?
Bullet points can make your writing easier to read because they break down complex information into smaller, straightforward bits. They provide a quick way for readers to see key points without grappling with long sentences.
To make your content even more readable, keep your bullet points clear and use them to list similar items like steps in a process or important ideas. Keep your sentences short and sweet, choose simpler words over longer ones, and stick to one main idea for each bullet point.
This helps everyone understand your message, whether they're a seventh grader or a college graduate. Best practices suggest that bullet points are like signposts, guiding your reader through your text more easily, which can improve your SEO rankings too.
How long should a sentence be for optimal readability?
The ideal average sentence for easy-to-read content is about 15 to 20 words long. Keeping sentences short helps the reader understand your ideas without getting lost in complex thoughts.
To make your writing even clearer, use common words and sprinkle in some transition words like "and," "but," or "because" to connect your ideas smoothly. This way, readers can easily follow along, sort of like following a trail of breadcrumbs.
Remember to stick to one idea per sentence and avoid making the reader pause too often to understand big words or complicated sentences. By keeping it simple, your writing will be more enjoyable and easier to read for everyone.
What is the most important thing to improve readability score?
The first thing when trying to improve readability is to focus on making your sentences short and simple. Use easy words that most people know instead of long, compound words, and keep sentences focused on the same idea.
Break up long sentences into shorter ones, and try not to use too many fancy words. This practice makes it easier for your target audience to follow what you're saying and stay interested.
Short sentences and common words are vital for creating readable content that readers can easily understand!
How does the focus keyword affect readability?
The focus keyword is like the main character of your story: it's the word or phrase your content is mostly about. Use this keyword correctly and it helps make your writing clearer and easier to follow. If you sprinkle the focus keyword naturally throughout the text, it can make content more relatable and easier to understand, like using signs on a hiking trail to guide hikers.
Get to the point without using too many long or complicated words. It makes it easier for people to read and grasp what you're saying. Also, sticking to one idea in a sentence helps readers follow along without getting lost. And don't forget about transition words, like "and" or "because"; they're like bridges between thoughts that help connect your ideas smoothly.
Doing these things will make sure everyone can enjoy what you write and understand it better.
Does readability affect SEO rankings?
Yes. Readability impacts SEO rankings. Search engines like Google want to provide users with content that's easy to read and understand. Content filled with long sentences, complex words, or that is hard to read can negatively impact a website's ranking because it directly affects the user experience (UX). Online, even font size should be optimized for improved readability.
What's the best thing to do? Use shorter sentences and easy words so more people can understand your content. If you're using proper nouns or terms that are hard to explain, make sure to define them.
Your editing process should always consider shortening sentences if too long. This way, your writing will be more readable, and search engines will give your content a higher score, making it easier for people to find.
Read more about the Flesch reading ease test and how readability affects SEO.
What is the upper limit readability score?
The upper limit depends on the specific formula used, but generally, there isn't a fixed "highest" score. For the Automated Readability Index (ARI), a very high score could mean that the text is very complex, with lots of long words and long sentences, suggesting it's suitable for people who have a college-level education or higher. To make your content easier to read, try to shorten your sentences and use fewer long words.
What is the best tip to improve content readability?
The best tip is to avoid using long sentence structures, and use simple words instead of longer words. This makes your writing easier to understand and helps everyone, not just experts, to understand what you're saying.