If you write essays online, you might have noticed an automated tool that tells your essay’s readability. Sure, you are smart and write essays of a high level. Therefore, you might think that writing a high-level essay is what you need to improve. However, sometimes, you don’t need a high level of language but simple enough to be understood by all the readers.
Many readers online do not have the patience to read anything beyond the high school level. That means, even if you can write at a higher level, you must come down a notch to match the readability.
Every writer has a readability score that tells you how easy your essay is to read. The lower the readability score, the higher the difficulty of reading.
In this article, we will discuss readability scores and the steps you can take to improve them.
What Is A Readability Score?
A readability score is a metric used to measure a written text’s complexity. The score is usually based on various factors, such as the length of sentences, the number of syllables in each word, and the overall structure and style of the writing. A readability score aims to help readers determine whether a particular piece of writing is appropriate for their reading level.
Several methods for calculating a readability score include the Flesch-Kincaid readability tests, the Gunning Fog Index, and the SMOG index. Each of these methods uses different formulas and criteria to determine the readability of a text.
Generally, a high readability score indicates that a text is easier to read, while a low score suggests that the text is more difficult. Readability scores can be useful for writers, editors, and educators who want to ensure their writing is accessible and understandable to their intended audience.
How To Improve Your Essay Readability?
A good essay means communicating the context of the essay to readers. And that is only possible if your language is simple with high readability. Readability is important in your essay as it allows the professors to better understand what you want to say in it.
Below are a few steps you can take to improve essay readability.
Step 1: Use Simple Words That Are Easy To Understand
Using simple words can greatly improve the readability of your essay. Here are some tips on how to use simple words effectively:
- Choose Common Words: Instead of using technical or academic jargon, use everyday words familiar to your readers.
- Avoid Using Big Words Unnecessarily: While it may be tempting to use big words to sound more sophisticated, it can actually make your writing harder to understand. Stick to simple words that get your point across clearly.
- Use Shorter Words: Longer words can be more difficult to understand, so try to use shorter words whenever possible.
- Use Synonyms: If unsure whether a word is too complex, try finding a simpler synonym that conveys the same meaning.
- Define Complex Terms: If you need to use complex words, define them clearly for your readers.
Remember that writing aims to communicate your ideas clearly and effectively. By using simple words, you can make your essay more accessible to a wider audience and ensure everyone understands your message.
Step 2: Shorten Your Sentences
Shortening your sentences is an effective way to improve the readability of your essay. Here are some tips on how to do it:
- Avoid Run-On Sentences: Run-on sentences can be difficult to follow and understand. Make sure to break up long sentences into shorter, more manageable ones.
- Use Simple Sentence Structures: Simple sentence structures, such as subject-verb-object, can be easier to understand than more complex ones.
- Focus On One Idea Per Sentence: Keep each sentence focused on a single idea or concept. This can make your writing clearer and more concise.
- Cut Unnecessary Words: Look for words or phrases that are not essential to your sentence and cut them out. This can help you to express your ideas more clearly and succinctly.
- Use Punctuation Effectively: Punctuation, such as commas and semicolons, can break up long sentences and make them easier to read.
Step 3: Avoid Jargon
Avoiding jargon is an important way to improve the readability of your essay. Jargon refers to the specialized language used within a particular field or profession, and it can be difficult for readers unfamiliar with that field to understand.
Here are some tips on how to avoid jargon in your writing:
- Know Your Audience: Before you start writing, consider who your readers are and what they already know. Avoid using technical terms or jargon that your readers may not be familiar with.
- Use Simple Language: Instead of technical or specialized terms, use everyday language that your readers will be familiar with. This can make your writing more accessible and easier to understand.
- Define Complex Terms: If you need to use specialized terms, define them clearly for your readers. This can help to avoid confusion and make your writing more accessible.
- Use Analogies And Examples: Analogies and examples can be a useful way to explain complex concepts in simpler terms. This can help to make your writing more accessible and engaging for your readers.
Step 4: Use More Paragraphs
Using more paragraphs is a great way to improve the readability of your essay. Paragraphs break up your text into smaller, more manageable sections, making it easier for your readers to follow your ideas and stay engaged with your writing.
Here are some tips on how to use paragraphs effectively in your essay:
- Start A New Paragraph For Each New Idea: When introducing a new idea or concept, start a new one. This can help to keep your writing organized and make it easier for your readers to follow your arguments.
- Keep Paragraphs Short: Shorter paragraphs are generally easier to read and more visually appealing. Keep your paragraphs to around three to five sentences, if possible.
- Use Subheadings: Subheadings can be a useful way to break up longer text sections into smaller, more manageable chunks. This can make your writing more visually appealing and easier to navigate.
- Use Transition Words: Transition words, such as “however”, “furthermore”, or “in conclusion”, can be used to link your ideas together and help your readers follow your arguments. Using transition words can also help to make your writing flow more smoothly.
Step 5: Eliminate Needless Adjectives & Adverbs
Eliminating needless adjectives and adverbs is an effective way to improve the readability of your essay. Adjectives and adverbs are descriptive words that can add color and nuance to your writing, but too many can make it feel cluttered and confusing.
Look for adjectives and adverbs that do not add meaning to your sentence and cut them out. For example, instead of “the bright, shining sun”, you could simply write “the sun”.
Instead of relying on adverbs to modify verbs, use strong verbs that convey your meaning more directly. For example, instead of writing “he walked slowly”, you could write “he sauntered”.
Focus on using concrete nouns that convey your meaning more clearly. For example, instead of writing “the beautiful flower”, you could write “the rose”.
Be mindful of how often you use the same adjectives and adverbs throughout your writing. Too much repetition can make your writing feel monotonous and dull.
Or, Simply Higher A Paper Writing Service
Yes, if this is too much for you to handle alone, you can just hire a paper writing service. A paper writing service helps you access professionals who are best at what they do. They will offer you high-quality services and take care of all the steps mentioned above.
We hope that his article was able to answer all your questions. If there is anything more you want to know, contact us.