How to write Easy Read

Easy Read is a way of making information accessible and easy to understand. We explain how you can write Easy Read and convert your content below.

Tips on how to write Easy Read

Plan the structure

Think of the Easy Read version as a summary of the original content and identify the main points you want cover and how you will explain them.

This will help you plan the structure and decide the level of detail you need to include.

Keep sentences short

When you are writing your Easy Read content, you should aim for short sentences with one idea per sentence – or break the ideas into bullet lists.

Simplify the language

When you are writing your Easy Read content, you also need to edit the content to use simple words, while maintaining the meaning of the original content.

We recommend aiming for a Grade 3 to 6 reading level, which means writing to people who have this level of schooling, but not writing to them like a child if you have an adult audience.

Explain complex or unfamiliar words

Sometimes you may need to include a complex word in your Easy Read conversion.

If you need to use a complex word, you should write it in bold the first time it appears and provide a simple explanation for this word.

If you have defined a lot of words, it’s standard practice to include a glossary or what’s often called a ‘Word list’ at the end of your document as well.

Provide context

You want to write your Easy Read content in a way that is succinct, while still providing enough context to the information so that readers will understand the topic you are talking about.

Context can also include an explanation for why you are providing this content, how the reader can use it and where they can find out more.

Apply standard layout and formatting

The standard Easy Read layout helps create the relationship between images and text. It includes wide margins and plenty of white space.

It also includes a minimum 14pt body copy and larger text size for headings.

With larger font size, extra white space and images, you can quickly see how Easy Read content will take up more space than the original content.

How to write Easy Read with us

It’s important to know that not all Easy Read is good Easy Read.

Poor-quality Easy Read can:

• fail to meet accessibility goals
• confuse readers
• misrepresent information
• undermine trust.

Make sure your Easy Read communications are developed by experienced Easy Read writers and designers, and test your content with Easy Read users as much as possible.

Find out how we can help you with your Easy Read communications on our Easy Read services page.