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Good sentences: Readability Score Tests For Your Writing

By on February 5, 2021

One thing that all writers need to keep an eye on is how readable their writing is, and this can be done by writing good sentences. Whether you are writing a book, a blog post, or an article, it’s hard to read your words, which could lead to frustration and confusion for the reader.

Readability scores can be a great way of making sure that your writing flows. Your writing should be easy and natural. If the language you use is too difficult for your readers to understand or your sentences too long-winded, they’ll struggle to enjoy your work. 

Good sentences make happy readers!

The best kind of writing is accessible and effortless to read, and using a readability score can help you determine whether yours is on point.

There are lots of different programs out there that can help you ensure that your writing is more readable, and you understand how to create good sentences. A readability score will present you with a number that indicates how easy or difficult it is for the average person to read your work. To determine the score, the program will look at various features. These include:

sentence length

the language you’ve used

repetitive words and phrases

syllable density.

More sophisticated programs will allow you to set your reader. If your text is aimed at a knowledgeable, academic audience, the score can make allowances for that. 

A readability score will show you what level of reader will be able to keep up with your text. It’s important to note that the average reading age in the USA is around 12 years old. 

A good readability report will highlight places in the text where your language is too academic. It will also show where your word choice is poor or your sentences too long. Some will even make helpful suggestions of how you can fix your content to make good sentences. Doing so wil ensure your content is more readable. As you click through you can improve your text bit by bit, which should make your score jump up. 

Poor readability and the reader

If your score indicates that your text is advanced, this indicates that an average audience will have difficulty following it.

If your audience is made up of readers who are more knowledgeable or have expertise in the subject areas you cover, this may not be concerning. Do bear in mind that even the most advanced audiences appreciate clear, short sentences. Being able to absorb the information without effort is worth its weight in gold.

When good sentences turn bad

A poor readability score will usually mean:

You are using a lot of jargon

Your sentences are too long

Your language and word choices are too advanced

Putting your writing to the test with a readability score can be helpful. Doing so will ensure that your readers will enjoy it, and will minimize confusion.

So the next time you are writing anything, why not run it through a readability program? This can help ensure your writing has the best chance of resonating with your readers.

Want some more advice on good writing? Why not read about what kind of person makes a good writer?

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