Watch
Readability and plain language 0:51
A 51-second explainer of Readability and plain language, narrated over the same demo you can try yourself.
Try the interactive Readability and plain language demo
What this video covers
Readability is how easily text can be read and understood; plain language is writing deliberately for that ease - common words, short sentences, active voice, no needless jargon. It isn't dumbing down; it's respecting the reader's time and the fact that stress, distraction, a second language or a cognitive difference all lower the reading level anyone can comfortably handle.
Swap the jargon-laden version for the plain one and the score jumped from "hard work" to "easy" - same meaning, far less effort. You felt it too: the plain version landed first time, while the dense one made you backtrack. Lower reading level isn't less content; it's less friction between your words and the reader's understanding.
