Readability

Support readability by using plain language, organizing content with properly formatted headings and lists, and keeping paragraphs and sentences short.

Plain language

Use plain language by keeping sentences short, avoiding jargon, and spelling out acronyms on first use. You can use tools like the Hemingway App to check and adjust the reading level of your content. For most public-facing content, aim for a 9th-grade reading level or lower.

Headings

Write unique, descriptive headings for different sections to help readers scan the content and find what they need more quickly.

Lists

Using lists to group related information can help make content more digestible. 

Use a bulleted list when the order of the information doesn’t matter — for example, a grocery list.

• Apples
• Oranges
• Bananas

Use a numbered list when the order of the information is important for accurate understanding — for example, step-by-step instructions.

1. Boil water.
2. Place one tea bag in an empty mug.
3. Pour the boiling water into the mug over the tea bag.
4. Wait about 3 minutes to let the tea steep.
5. Remove the tea bag.

When creating a list, be sure to use the built-in list buttons (bullet points or numbers) from the paragraph formatting options in the editing toolbar.

If a list is not formatted correctly, people who use screen readers or other assistive technology may have difficulty navigating the list. Avoid creating custom-formatted lists that use special characters instead of bullets or that rely on manual indentation, such as using the Tab key to create space.

Content length

Cluttered, dense content can quickly become overwhelming and add to the reader’s cognitive load. Present your information in manageable amounts by keeping sentences and paragraphs short.

• Use plain language and avoid jargon
• Support content scanning with headings and lists
• Keep paragraphs short