How to write clearly to open your message to more people.
Our products and communications should be easy to understand. If it’s difficult to understand what we’re trying to say, users won’t want to use our products—they'll assume they're too difficult to use. A good goal is to write for a 5th to 8th grade reading level.
Simple, readable content benefits everyone. It makes our messaging more accessible for more people. It's also easier to localize and translate. Learn more about accessibility.
Use:
- Short sentences
- Familiar words
- Active voice
- Do: We claimed the video.
- Don’t: The video was claimed.
- Simple verb tenses
- Do: We got the results.
- Don’t: We had been getting the results.
Avoid:
- Adverbs and adjectives
- Complex words or sentences
- Jargon
- Idioms and turns of phrase
- Acronyms
- Slang and colloquial language
Remember: these are guidelines. If your audience knows an acronym or a complex term, it may be ok to use. Always feel free to reach out to Content Design to double check.