How to Improve Blog Readability

Intro

Readability in Blogging

Blogging is a popular way to communicate and share information online. With millions of blogs available, it's important to make your content stand out from the crowd. One often overlooked aspect that can significantly impact a blog's success is readability.

What is Readability?

Readability is a measure of how easily a piece of writing can be understood by the reader. It encompasses various factors such as sentence structure, vocabulary choice, paragraph length, and formatting. When a blog post is difficult to read or understand, readers are more likely to lose interest and move on to another source of information.

How do I improve blog readability?

In the daily practice of AI-assisting content creation, I am making trouble with readability. The GPT-based technology can generate a series of sentences based on our simple keyword input or complicated edited prompts. But the results and outputs? Oh they are way more difficult to read.

No kidding, if you put WordHero's generated content to check the readability, it's usually marked as Grade 11 or higher difficulty.

Today we'll discuss blog readability. And take the example of writing a blog on "decoration idea for a 10-gallon fish tank". To start, here I provide you my overview of readability-improving tips in an image:

That's why I separate a blog's readability into 2 layers to improve. That is, the content layer and article layer have different operating aspects. So let's dive in and learn.

Importance and Benefits of Blog Readability

Why is Readability Important?

When a blog post is difficult to read or understand, readers are more likely to lose interest and move on to another source of information. This can have a negative impact on a blog's traffic and engagement.

Benefits of Good Readability

There are a number of benefits to improving the readability of your blog posts. These include:

• Increased reader engagement: When your posts are easy to read, readers are more likely to stick around and read the whole thing.

• Improved SEO: Search engines like Google take readability into account when ranking websites. So, by improving the readability of your posts, you can improve your chances of ranking higher in search results.

• Increased brand awareness: When people find your posts easy to read and understand, they're more likely to remember your brand and come back for more.

Content Layer Readability Improvement

Here I list out the content-layer elements for readability optimization:

• Use simpler language

• Break up long sentences

• Use active voice instead of passive voice

• Use transition words and phrases

• Use visuals

• Use strong verbs

• Vary your sentence structure

Avoid using complex words or phrases that may be difficult for a Grade 7 reader to understand. For example:

• Instead of saying "ecologically balanced environment," you could say "healthy environment."

• Instead of saying "The substrate is also great for providing fish with an interesting environment in which to explore and hide," you could say "The substrate gives fish places to hide and explore."

Another thing is to avoid jargon. When you're writing for a general audience, it's important to use language that is easy to understand. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that your readers may not be familiar with.

1.Use simpler language.

Long sentences can be difficult to read and understand, so it's helpful to break them up into shorter sentences. This will make the text easier to follow and understand. For example:

The sentence "When placed correctly, these plants will not only add a unique visual aesthetic to the tank but will also help keep the water clean through natural filtration and oxygenation" could be broken up into two sentences: "When placed correctly, these plants add a unique visual aesthetic to the tank. They also help keep the water clean through natural filtration and oxygenation."

2.Break up long sentences.

Active voice is generally more concise and easier to read than passive voice. For example:

• Instead of saying "The substrate is often recommended when planting certain types of aquatic plants," you could say "Planting certain types of aquatic plants often requires substrate."

• Instead of saying "Floating plants such as hornwort, duckweed, or water lettuce are all great options if you’re looking for a maintenance-free way to decorate your tank while providing a habitat for smaller fish in your aquarium," you could say "Floating plants like hornwort, duckweed, and water lettuce are a great way to decorate your tank and provide a habitat for smaller fish without much maintenance."

3.Use active voice instead of passive voice

Transition words and phrases can help to connect ideas and make the text flow more smoothly. For example, you could use the phrase "In addition" to introduce a new idea or the phrase "However" to contrast two ideas.

• Use transition words and phrases that are appropriate for your audience. Some transition words and phrases are more formal than others. For example, the phrase "In addition" is more formal than the phrase "Plus."

• Use transition words and phrases that are specific. Some transition words and phrases are very general. For example, the phrase "However" can be used to contrast two ideas, but it doesn't specify how the two ideas are different.

• Use transition words and phrases that are consistent. If you use a transition word or phrase in one part of your writing, use it consistently throughout your writing. This will help to make your writing more cohesive.

• Use transition words and phrases to create a logical flow. Transition words and phrases can help you to create a logical flow in your writing. For example, you could use the phrase "First" to introduce the first point in your argument, and then use the phrase "Second" to introduce the second point.

Here are some examples of transition words and phrases that you could use in your writing:

• To add: also, furthermore, in addition, moreover, too

• To compare: similarly, likewise, in like manner, analogous to

• To contrast: however, on the other hand, but, yet, nevertheless, nonetheless

• To show cause: because, since, as a result, due to, hence

• To show effect: therefore, thus, consequently, accordingly, so

• To show sequence: first, second, third, next, then, finally

• To summarize: in conclusion, to sum up, in short, to be brief

4.Use transition words and phrases

Visuals can be a great way to break up text and make it more interesting to read. You could include photos of fish tanks or aquarium decorations, or you could create your own illustrations. Use images and videos to break up the text and make it more visually appealing.

• Choose visuals that are relevant to your topic. The visuals you use should be relevant to the topic of your writing. For example, if you are writing an article about how to decorate a 10-gallon fish tank, you could include photos of different types of fish tanks, aquarium decorations, or even fish.

• Use visuals that are high-quality. The visuals you use should be high-quality. This means that they should be clear, sharp, and well-lit. If you are using photos, make sure that they are in focus and that the lighting is good.

• Use visuals that are easy to understand. The visuals you use should be easy to understand. This means that they should be simple and straightforward. Avoid using visuals that are too complex or confusing.

• Use visuals to illustrate your points. The visuals you use should illustrate your points. This means that they should help to explain or clarify the text. For example, if you are writing an article about how to choose the right fish for your tank, you could include a photo of a fish that is compatible with your tank size and water conditions.

• Use visuals to break up the text. The visuals you use can help to break up the text and make it more visually appealing. This can make your writing more engaging and easier to read.

• Use visuals to add interest. The visuals you use can add interest to your writing. This can make your writing more engaging and appealing to your audience.

5.Use visuals

Weak verbs can make your writing sound dull and boring. Use strong verbs to add power and energy to your writing.

Strong verbs are verbs that are specific, descriptive, and evocative. They can add power and energy to your writing.

Weak verbs are verbs that are general and often overused. They can make your writing sound dull and boring.

Examples of strong verbs:

• Run vs. sprint

• Jump vs. leap

• Eat vs. devour

• Talk vs. converse

• Think vs. ponder

Examples of weak verbs:

• Is vs. exists

• Was vs. happened

• Do vs. perform

• Have vs. possess

• See vs. observe

Here are some tips for using strong verbs in your writing:

• Choose verbs that are specific and descriptive. Instead of saying "The dog ran," you could say "The dog sprinted across the yard."

• Use verbs that are evocative. Instead of saying "The woman talked," you could say "The woman's voice was a melodious whisper."

• Avoid using weak verbs that are overused. If you find yourself using a weak verb repeatedly, try to find a stronger alternative.

Here's an example of using strong verbs instead of weak verbs:

Instead of saying "The rocks and caves come in many sizes, shapes, and colors to perfectly fit any aquarium aesthetic," you could say "The rocks and caves come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors to match any aquarium's style."

6.Use strong verb

Sometimes you just change the subjects and objects, then you'll have easier-to-read content.

Instead of writing "Rocks and caves are a great idea if you're looking for an interesting 10 gallon fish tank decoration," you could say "If you're looking for an interesting 10 gallon fish tank decoration, rocks and caves are a great option."

7.Vary your sentence structure

Article-layer Blog Readability Improvement

Once I finish the entire blog draft, I'll take a cup of tea and enjoy it a little bit. Then I'll go for the article readability improvement:

• Start with a strong introduction

• Add more details and examples

• Use clear and concise headings

• Use a consistent tone

• Proofread carefully

1. Start with a strong introduction

The introduction should grab the reader's attention and give them a good overview of what the article is about.

• Start with a strong hook. This could be a question, a statistic, a quote, or a surprising fact. The goal is to grab the reader's attention and make them want to read more.

• Give the reader a good overview of what the article is about. What is the main topic of the article? What are the main points that you will be discussing?

• State your thesis statement. This is your main argument or point of view. It should be clear and concise, and it should be supported by the evidence in the rest of the article.

• Use clear and concise language. Avoid jargon and technical terms that your readers may not understand.

• Keep your introduction short and to the point. Most introductions should be no more than a few paragraphs long.

Here is an example of a strong introduction for an article about readability in blogging:

Do you ever find yourself struggling to read blog posts? If so, you're not alone. Many blog posts are written in a way that is difficult to understand. This can be a problem because it can make it hard to find the information you're looking for.

In this article, we will discuss the importance of readability in blogging. We will also provide some tips on how to improve the readability of your blog posts. By following these tips, you can make your blog posts more engaging and easier to read.

This introduction is effective because it:

• Starts with a strong hook that grabs the reader's attention.

• Gives the reader a good overview of what the article is about.

• States the thesis statement.

• Uses clear and concise language.

• Is short and to the point.

2.Add more details and examples

The paragraphs could be more engaging if they included more details and examples. This would help the reader visualize the different decoration ideas and understand how they would work in a 10-gallon fish tank. Here's what I should do to write it:

• Use descriptive language. This will help the reader visualize the scene that you are describing. For example, instead of saying "a small rock," you could say "a smooth, round rock the size of a golf ball."

• Give specific examples. This will help the reader understand how the decoration would look in a 10-gallon fish tank. For example, instead of saying "You could add some plants," you could say "You could add a small group of Anubias nana plants in the foreground and a taller plant like Java fern in the background."

• Use visuals. If possible, include images or videos to help the reader visualize the different decoration ideas.

Here is an example of a paragraph that has been improved by adding more details and examples:

• Original: You could add some plants to your 10-gallon fish tank.

• Improved: You could add a small group of Anubias nana plants in the foreground and a taller plant like Java fern in the background. The Anubias nana plants would have dark green leaves that grow in a rosette shape. The Java fern would have feathery green leaves that grow horizontally. These plants would provide a lush, natural look for your fish tank.

3.Use clear and concise headings

Headings can help to break up the text and make it easier to scan.

• Make sure your headings are clear and concise. They should accurately reflect the content of the section that they are heading.

• Use consistent formatting for your headings. This will help to make your document look more professional.

• Use subheadings to break up your text even further. This can make your document easier to scan and understand.

• Use keywords in your headings. This will help people find your document when they are searching for information online.

Here is an example of a document that uses clear and concise headings:

How to Decorate a 10-Gallon Fish Tank

• Introduction

• Choosing the Right Decor

  • Plants

  • Rocks

  • Ornaments

• Setting Up the Decor

• Maintaining the Decor

• Conclusion

As you can see, the headings in this document are clear, concise, and consistent. They accurately reflect the content of the sections that they are heading. And they use keywords that will help people find the document when they are searching for information online.

4.Use a consistent tone

The tone of the article should be consistent throughout. This will help the reader to stay engaged.

• Decide on the tone before you start writing. What kind of tone do you want to set for your article? Are you trying to be informative, persuasive, or something else?

• Use consistent language throughout your article. This means using the same level of formality, the same vocabulary, and the same tone of voice.

• Avoid using slang or informal language. This can make your article seem unprofessional or even offensive.

• Be consistent in your use of humor, sarcasm, or other forms of figurative language. If you use these elements in one part of your article, make sure you use them consistently throughout.

• Proofread your article carefully before you publish it. This will help you to catch any inconsistencies in tone that you may have missed.

Here are some examples of different tones that you could use in your writing:

• Informative: This tone is used to provide factual information. It is usually neutral and objective.

• Persuasive: This tone is used to convince the reader to agree with a particular point of view. It is often more emotional and engaging than informative writing.

• Humorous: This tone is used to make the reader laugh. It is often used in articles that are meant to be entertaining or lighthearted.

• Sarcastic: This tone is used to express irony or contempt. It can be effective in some cases, but it is important to use it sparingly.

The tone that you choose will depend on the purpose of your article and the audience you are writing for. However, it is important to be consistent in your use of tone throughout your article. This will help the reader to stay engaged and understand your message.

5.Proofread carefully

Before you publish the article, be sure to proofread it carefully for any errors in grammar or spelling.

• Read your article aloud. This can help you to catch errors that you may have missed when reading silently.

• Use a grammar checker. Grammar checkers can help you to identify errors in grammar and spelling. However, they are not perfect, so you should still proofread your article carefully even after using a grammar checker.

• Ask someone else to proofread your article. A fresh pair of eyes can often catch errors that you may have missed.

• Take a break before you proofread. This will help you to come back to your article with fresh eyes and a more critical perspective.

Here are some additional tips that you can follow to proofread your writing effectively:

• Read slowly and carefully. Don't try to read your article too quickly, or you'll be more likely to miss errors.

• Pay attention to the details. Don't just skim your article for errors. Read every word carefully and make sure that it is spelled correctly and grammatically correct.

• Look for patterns. If you see the same error repeated several times, it's likely that you're making a mistake.

• Use a dictionary and thesaurus. If you're not sure about the meaning of a word, look it up in a dictionary. If you're not sure about the correct usage of a word, look it up in a thesaurus.

By following these tips, you can proofread your writing effectively and catch any errors that you may have missed. This will help you to produce high-quality writing that is free of errors.

Final Thoughts: Write for Human First

As I always said, Write for humans first, not for search engines. This means that you should focus on making your writing easy to understand for humans, rather than trying to optimize it for search engines. Then you'll notice that your blog readability is so important, and it should be your #1 job to your content.

At last I share my human-first writing practice to inspire you all to help people understand what they are searching for:

• Know your audience. Who are you writing for? What is their level of understanding of the topic?

• Be clear about your purpose. What do you want your readers to understand or do after reading your content?

• Use a conversational tone. Write as if you were talking to a friend or colleague.

• Use humor and storytelling. This can help to make your content more engaging and memorable.

• Be personal. Share your own experiences and insights.

• Be creative. Don't be afraid to experiment with different writing styles and formats.