Writing for All Readers
Content writing best practices that make your site more accessible and professional.
Accessible writing isn’t about dumbing down your content — it’s about being clear, friendly, and respectful of your readers’ time. Use plain language, short sentences, and real words. Your audience is busy parents and coaches, not English professors.
Plain Language: Aim for an 8th-Grade Reading Level
Your audience is parents, coaches, and kids. None of them want to decipher jargon. Write like you’re explaining something to a friend.
Jargon: ‘Utilize our digital registration portal to facilitate enrollment in the nascent season.’
Plain English: ‘Sign up for the spring season on our website.’
Short Sentences and Paragraphs
Long sentences are hard to read and understand. Aim for sentences under 15–20 words. Paragraphs should be 2–4 sentences max. Shorter text is easier for everyone, especially people with reading difficulties or people reading on phones.
Avoid Jargon and Acronyms
If you must use an acronym (like ‘U12’ for Under 12), explain it the first time: ‘U12 teams (Under 12 years old).’ Better yet, just use the full phrase: ‘teams for 12-year-olds.’
Use Active Voice
Passive: ‘The application is required to be submitted by March 1.’
Active: ‘You must submit your application by March 1.’
Avoid ALL CAPS
Screen readers read ALL CAPS letter by letter: ‘U… D… I… S… T… R… I… C… T.’ Use normal capitalization.
Avoid Italics for Long Passages
Italicized text is harder to read, especially for people with dyslexia. Use bold instead for emphasis, and keep it to short phrases.
Use Real Words for Dates
Hard to understand: ‘2/15/26’
Clear: ‘February 15, 2026’ or ‘February 15’
The Reading Aloud Test
Read your text aloud before publishing. If you stumble, rewrite it. If you sound stiff or awkward, rewrite it. This is the best test of clarity.
💡 Tip: Reading your text aloud is the single best test for clarity. If you stumble reading it, your readers will stumble too. Rewrite it.
