Quicktips on Readability
General Tips
- Writing style
- Use short words, sentences, and paragraphs. Each paragraph should only contain one topic.
- Use the inverted pyramid style of writing with the summary/conclusion before the expanded content.
- Use clear and simple language. Avoid acronyms, jargon, and slang.
- Text blocks
- Width of columns should be short, for instance no more than ten to fifteen words across.
- Don't use justified text. Some readers are distracted by ‘rivers of white' created by the white spaces between the words running vertically down the page.
- Avoid hyphenation.
- Chunk information with structure (boxes, lines, and headings); use diagrams and images; and use lists whenever possible.
- Avoid using all capitals. Use <strong> for emphasis instead. Avoid italics in smaller size text.
- Backgrounds should be solid, not patterned or with an image that makes text hard to read.
- CSS for styling enhancements
- Increase the line-height (the white space between the lines, also known as leading).
- Increase padding around links for easier ‘clickability.”
- Add a hover pseudo element to the p tag to highlight paragraphs for easier reading.
- Break out long quotes with increased margins and a different font.
- Be consistent in visual style and navigation.
- Use periods and commas for appropriate pauses.
- Don’t SHOUT by using all caps. Screen readers sometimes read it as an acronym (S.H.O.U.T.)
- Avoid additional spacing between letters in a word. This may cause the screen reader to spell the word.
- Avoid image drop caps. Use CSS instead.
- Try to see the page from your audience's point of view.
- Include a date and contact info on each page.
- Regularly check your pages for broken links.
Tools
Broken Links—Xenu Link Sleuth
Spell and Readability checks—MS Word
To run the spell check, go to Tools—'Spelling and Grammar' or press F7
When MS Word finishes checking spelling and grammar, it displays information about the reading
level of the document. If the statistics do not display, you need to turn it on through Tools - Options,
and click on the "Spelling & Grammar" tab. Select the "Show readability statistics" check box, and click
OK.
An online tool for readability statistics is available at http://juicystudio.com/services/readability.php.
For more information, contact:
Parker Owens, Web Accessibility Coordinator, EKU, 254 Case Annex, Richmond, KY
(859) 622-2743, parker.owens@eku.edu
