Green Bay Copywriting LLC
920-351-3047
  • Fundraising
  • Commercial
  • Contact
  • Blog

Do you write too well?

2/6/2017

1 Comment

 
I read a piece by The Washington Post today. 

It claimed 45’s speeches were right around the 6th grade level for readability. 

I loath 45.   But I also loath studies like this, and what they imply. 

I’ll let you in on a secret.  Before I send out a letter, I check its readability score.  If it’s 8th grade or higher, I rewrite with simpler language.  

For a speech addressed to 45's crowd, a score around the 6th grade level is just about perfect.  Much higher, and people would stop paying attention.  

​(According to the article, Bernie Sanders generally scored in the high 8th grade level.  We all know how far he made it….)

Why?

It’s very simple. 

The higher the grammar grade level, the harder it is to read. 

People will work to read something they’re interested in, but for things like speeches, advertisements, sales letters, and such – if it’s too hard to read, they’ll simply stop reading!

You want people to pay attention to your speech, or read what you write?  Use simple language!
 
* This post scores on the Flesch-Kincaid scale at a 5.2 grade level.

How do I know that? 
I wrote it in Microsoft Word. 
Go into options.  Under ‘proofing’ make sure to check the box ‘show readability statistics.’  Now, when you spell check your document, it will score it for readability as well.
1 Comment
Lisa Strandberg link
2/7/2017 06:20:27 am

Great advice that took me way too long to learn!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Like what you're reading?  Sign up and get my best stuff delivered straight to your inbox.

    * indicates required

    Archives

    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    February 2014
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    September 2012

    Categories

    All
    Acquisition
    Advertising
    Better Websites
    Build Trust
    Case Study
    Cause Marketing
    Direct Mail
    Donor Appreciation
    Email
    Fundraising
    Know Your Audience
    Online Fundraising
    Other Experts
    Research
    Saying Thank You
    Social Media
    Storytelling
    Thanks
    Website Copy

    RSS Feed