The most readable copy is written at a 5th grade level.
Some people find that statement disturbing. đ¤¨
âWriting at a 5th grade level will insult my audience,â someone commented recently on LinkedIn.Â
It wonât.Â
Because hereâs the thingâŚ
Clarity trumps every other aspect of your messaging.
You can have the best product, the coolest gadget, the newest techâŚ
⌠but if no one understands what youâre saying, it doesnât matter.
Theyâll bounce.
My recent post on this subject (Grammarly, specifically) took off like a rocket launcher.
Turns out, people have pretty strong opinions about both the software. And how to word things.
So I want to clear up one somethingâŚÂ
A few people defended the âwrite at a 5th grade level.âÂ
It apparently translated to âdumbing downâ the copy. Itâs not the case.
Readers wonât perceive your copy as insulting. Theyâll simply understand your messaging.Â
Theyâll understand it quicker, be able to read it faster, and find it more enjoyable, research shows.
Hereâs how clear copy helps the reader:
âĄď¸ Promotes better understanding (between 13% and 48%)
âĄď¸ Decreases reading time (by 64%)
âĄď¸ Creates a more enjoyable experience for the reader (satisfaction increased 30% to 76%)
Tips for writing clearly:
âď¸ Ask yourself, âCan I use a simpler word for this one?â
âď¸ Keep words and sentences short
âď¸ Is there an easier way to say something?
By the way, itâs not easy to write at a 5th grade level.Â
This post is at a 7th to 8th grade level. Â
Want to test your copy? HERE’S A LINK to a calculator.
Check out these other posts you may enjoy:
How âProperâ Grammar can Wreck Your Copy
How to Use Tone and Voice in Your Copy
How to Write Fascinations & Boost Engagement
Catch ya on the flip side,
Linda