ESL Reading

English language learning materials for students & teachers

How can I make text easier to read?


Less is More

  • Shorten sentences: avoid using more than two clauses.

  • Shorten paragraphs: three short sentences where possible

Spacing

Break up blocks of text with illustrations & space

Most students (& teachers!) use the default single space lay-out of text. This makes it cramped and difficult to read.

Here's a simple solution:

Select all the text:

Go to format/paragraph/line-spacing.

Change to 1.5 spacing
Now the text will be much easier to read

Vocabulary

What makes a word 'difficult?

This depends on a number of factors:

- frequency of use

- length

- abstraction

Reduce the number of long, unfamiliar and/or abstract words.

Summary - details below:
Use:

grammar check * readability tool* readability statistics * space


Avoid:

'wordy' phrasing * long sentences * singular/plural confusion



Editor * Guide to Readers * Blog * Links* Levels * Younger