Easily Overlooked Problems that Turn Readers Off

In my writing classes and coaching, I frequently hear writers complaining about readers not reading their content. Generally, it comes down to a handful of issues with how the writing is structured and/or presented to the reader. Our goal is to create something that readers find attractive, so they are enticed to start reading. Then we have to keep them reading. How a document appears to the reader can make or break their desire to read it. Formatting is a key element in getting read our work read. Let’s look at the role format plays in making a document look easy to read.

“Document formatting is one of the most important elements in readability for end-users.” —?connectsUsHR

Write above the fold

Today, mobile devices account for more than 50% of web traffic. People spend two out of three minutes online.

What does this mean for writers?

We need to write for the mobile reader.

Above the fold?comes from newspapers, and it’s the area of the front page that we see when the paper is on a news rack. It’s prime real estate and where we find the most important information. On mobile devices, it’s the copy that appears on the display when a document is opened. This is our opportunity to grab the reader and give them a reason to keep reading.

Create white space

• Long, solid blocks of copy are intimidating.?They look imposing and time-consuming. Short paragraphs, on the other hand, are attractive and look easier to read.
• Use wider margins. Long lines of text are challenging. The eyes tend to drift downward as we read. By closing up our margins, we create shorter lines, and the eyes are less likely to slide.

Use subheads (this is a subhead)

Subheads are mini-headlines. They break up the copy and make the piece appear easier to read. They:

• Have high readability, especially for people who scan or skim when they read.
• Signal the value of the content that follows to keep readers interested and reading.
• Help readers know where they are in longer documents. For example, the main headline for this section is larger than the subheads. The reader automatically knows that they are in a subsection of a larger section. (This is highly important in documents like manuals.)

Grab their attention with lists

Just as with subheads, bulleted and numbered lists have high readability. People like them because they make the content seem easier to read. There’s another important reason: They ensure that nothing will be missed. Most readers don’t remember what’s in the middle of a paragraph. If we want them to pay attention to all elements, we need to break out the points into a list. This is extremely important when writing instructions since we don’t want readers to miss a step.

?You can find more information on how to get and keep your readers interested in your writing with my free Quick Guide: 3 Easy Ways to Make Your Writing More Attractive for Readers. Immediate download. No email is necessary.?

Thanks for reading, Patricia