Accessible Writing (Ashley Bischoff)

Main Ideas and Concepts

• Accessibility in Writing: The video emphasizes the importance of making writing accessible, particularly for individuals with varying needs. It discusses how the complexity of writing can hinder understanding and usability.
• Factors of Language Complexity:
  • sentence length: Longer sentences (over 25 words) can be difficult to understand. Experts recommend keeping sentences between 20 to 25 words for better readability.
  • syllable count: The number of syllables in words affects comprehension. Shorter words are generally easier to understand.
• Plain Language Techniques:
  • Break complex sentences into shorter ones to enhance clarity.
  • Use simpler words instead of complex or technical jargon.
• Examples of Simplification:
  • Transform complex phrases into simpler alternatives (e.g., "prior to" becomes "before").
  • Replace multi-syllable words with shorter ones (e.g., "sufficient" becomes "enough").
  • Utilize contractions to reduce syllable count and improve flow.
• Readability Tools:
  • Utilize readability analyzers to check the reading grade level of your writing. Aim for a level below 9 for better comprehension by a wider audience.
• Real-World Implications:
  • Discusses how complex writing in emergency alerts can lead to misunderstandings and potentially dangerous situations.
  • Provides an example of rewriting a complex weather alert to improve clarity.
• Encouragement for Continuous Improvement:
  • Emphasizes that even small changes in writing can significantly improve accessibility and understanding.

Methodology and Instructions

• Sentence Structure:
  • Aim for an average sentence length of 20-25 words.
  • Use a mix of shorter and longer sentences for variety.
• Word Choice:
  • Replace complex words with simpler alternatives:
    • "Prior to" → "Before"
    • "Commence" → "Start"
    • "Sufficient" → "Enough"
    • "In order to" → "To"
    • "Accordingly" or "Consequently" → "So"
    • "The following" → "This"
    • "However" → "But"
• Use of Contractions:
  • Incorporate contractions (e.g., "don't" instead of "do not") to enhance readability.
• Readability Analysis:
  • Use tools like the Readability Analyzer to check the Flesh-Kincaid grade level.
  • Aim for a grade level below 9 for optimal understanding.

Speakers

• Ashley Bischoff: Copy editor and accessibility analyst, who discusses the principles of accessible writing.
• Jess: Host of the video, who introduces Ashley and facilitates the discussion.

Additional Resources Mentioned

• Plain Language website for simpler word alternatives.
• Readability Analyzer tool.
• Links to slides and additional resources shared by Ashley.