Introduction

This document provides answers to several frequently asked questions about Web Governance readability scores. Here you will find use cases, examples, and strategies that can help you improve the readability of written content.

What is readability?

Readability is the gateway to digital inclusion. The readability level is a metric that estimates how easy or difficult a text is to read. It calculates the minimum level of education a reader needs to easily understand the content. The following examples demonstrate the impact of a poor readability level:

• During an online search about an urgent health issue or a legal advice, if you get dense jargon and long sentences, it creates a digital barrier. This barrier prevents access to important information for many people.

• Websites that use college-level language exclude millions of visitors. Only 13% of U.S. adults reach this level. Most European nations show similar averages of 12% to 14%.

What is the readability score?

The readability score provides a way to calculate the level of written text. This score helps to determine how easily readers can understand the text. They analyze sentence length and syllable count. The Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level is one common algorithm.

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 3.1.5 sets a clear benchmark for readability. When you follow this standard, you share information with everyone, not just those with advanced literacy.

For more information about how the scores are calculated in Web Governance, visit Quality Assurance Readability.

Who benefits when you write clearly with a lower readability level?

When you lower the reading level of web content, it removes barriers for many people, including:

• People with dyslexia, ADHD, or brain injuries, who process information differently. Clear, short sentences help these readers understand vital information faster.
• People who use your website in a second language, who may not understand jargon and idioms. This type of language can hide the service's meaning.
• People under stress in emergency situations, who experience limited working memory. Direct language helps your readers act quickly and safely.

The Inclusion Principle: Accessible writing must be clear, not simple. Everyone deserves to use the internet, regardless of language capabilities or educational level.

What are the core strategies for content authors to consider regarding readability?

A core strategy states that you must intentionally design your content to accommodate an inclusive, accessible level, instead of a college reading level. Use the following three pillars to guide your writing:

Master the sentence structure

• Write in short sentences. Aim for 15 to 20 words per sentence. If a sentence contains multiple clauses, break it into two.
• Choose the active voice. Write: "We will mail your permit within ten days" instead of: "Your permit will be mailed to you by our department within ten days". Active sentence construction is easier for the brain to parse.
• Ditch the jargon. Replace complex words with their everyday equivalents. Use the word help instead of facilitate. Use the word use instead of utilize.

Design content for scannability

Cognitive accessibility relies heavily on how a page looks. Dense blocks of text are intimidating and hard to track.

• Use descriptive headings. Ensure that your headings act as a clear roadmap for the page.
• Use bullet lists. Break down step-by-step processes or multi-item requirements into clean, vertical lists.
• Embrace white space. Give your text room to breathe. Generous spacing helps readers anchor themselves on the page.

Handle technical requirements elegantly

Sometimes, legal or highly technical language is unavoidable. When a page must feature dense text:

• Provide a plain language summary. Place a brief, 7th-grade level summary or abstract at the top of the page.
• Incorporate tooltips or glossaries. Define complex terms inline or provide an easy-to-access glossary for specialized terms.

Use clear writing for effective governance

Readable websites work better. When you use clear language, fewer users leave, support costs are lower, and user trust is higher.