There is a mathematical equation used for computing readability scores. Why is this readability score so important? This training explains to you why the readability score is so important while providing tips to help you improve on it.

Words are used to communicate ideas, thoughts, and emotions. Anyone who has gained mastery over words communicates clearly, finding it easy to articulate thoughts, irrespective of the audience.

Such is the importance attached to words. And the written word is not different.

What is Readability Score and why is the score important?

Readability describes the ease with which a reader comprehends the content of a written text. It is the quality of a blog post, article, tweet or book that makes it readable.

The elements of readability include the complexity of words, legibility, familiarity, and the typography of the words.

The Readability Score is a measure of how understandable a written text is. It is computed using a mathematical equation with inputs like syllable density, and length of sentences.

The readability score of any given text ranges from 0 to 100. The higher the score, the better the readability! This means that a text with a score of 70 is more readable than that of 50.

Test for readability score helps a writer determine the audience size. For Instance, a score of 70 or higher means that 7th graders can easily understand the writer's text.

Now, I've put together 7 helpful tips for improving your readability score. You can start by implanting them in parts or all of it if possible.

Tip 1: Use Simple Words

If you have the choice to make between shorter or longer words, go for the shorter ones. The shorter the better – the longer words are more likely to confuse readers.

As much as you like flaunting your impressive vocabulary, it is more profitable if you keep it short and simple.

Tip 2: Use Simple Sentences

Let your sentences be simple, easy and short. There's no better way to pass your message across than making it easy for your readers' minds to quickly grasp your sentences.

The last time I checked, there was no standard length for sentences. You are responsible for conveying meaning through your text, but do away with words that bear no direct relevance to the meaning.

Incidentally, the length of your sentences directly affects your readability score. So, if you find your sentences too long, break them into two or more sentences.

Tip 3: Explain Complex Words at First Mention

Have you ever read through an article only to find out you didn't understand the writer?

The likely cause is that you had gone past a word or phrase you didn't understand. This has an effect of making subsequent words in the article illegible.

Whenever you mention a complex word for the first time, give your readers the benefit of an explanation. That way, you're able to carry everyone along with your writing.

The same goes for acronyms also. Give a detailed description of the first mention.

Tip 4: Use One Idea per Sentence

A sentence is a collection of words or phrases that convey an idea. It's that simple for any writer to stick to.

Avoid the trap of muddling ideas or concepts together in a sentence. It produces confusion in the mind of your readers and passes off your writing as incoherent.

Tip 5: Break Writing Into Subheadings

Subheadings are great for organizing articles, blog posts, and non-fiction. They serve as pointers for your readers, guiding them from the beginning to the end of your writing.

Subheadings also make it possible for readers to skim through your texts, and get a basic understanding of its flow.

Tip 6: Use an Active Voice in Sentences

An active voice describes a sentence that has a subject acting upon its verb. The active voice follows the construct: subject + verb + object.

An example of a sentence with an active voice is "James drank two bottles at dinner".

An active voice usually reduces the number of words in your sentences and communicates more clearly to your readers.

Tip 7: Focus on the Structure of Your Writing

A well-structured text conveys meaning to a reader in a logical and organized manner.

Cramping plenty of information may seem impressive, but without a good organization, all is lost before your readers. Plan your text before putting a pen on paper, and ensure your text flows logically from scratch to conclusion.

Now that you have your writing tips, I will do better by explaining how readability scores are measured.

How is Your Readability Score Measured?

Several methods are employed for measuring the readability score, each with their different formulae.

I will address 2 of the well-known methods for arriving at a score:

I. Flesch Kincaid Reading Ease – It is based on a 0 to 100 scale used in checking the compatibility of the text.

It is used to measure how understandable and readable a text is. A higher score means that the text is more readable than the one with a lower score. A score of 60 – 80 means that a text is readable for ages 13 to 15.

II. Flesch Kincaid Grade Level – This method is used by schools, colleges and universities to check if a text is readable

In summary, writing clearly in an easy-to-understand language is a plus for any writer. It gives you the ability to expand your audience, clearly articulate your thoughts, and communicate better.

This tutorial has provided you with 7 proven tips to help improve your readability – including how your text is measured for readability.

You have to understand that the readability is just a figure, while your readers remain the best judges for readability. Follow the tips outlined in this tutorial and watch the readability of your writing improve.

If you have a question regarding Readability Score and how it impacts your search rankings, don’t hesitate to leave a comment using the box below the video frame.

Acknowledgements

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