Why You Should Write At Elementary School Levels
The writing on my blog is at an elementary school level.
While I’m not usually one for stuff like this, I was curious enough to see what the test from CriticsRant showed. Other bloggers that took the test crowed over the Genius level of their blog writings (or were stunned to see that result, one of the two) and some had high school level ratings for their content.
None had elementary school level – or they were too embarrassed to admit it.
Me? I’m not ashamed at all of that rating. Alright, I’ll admit that my first reaction was, “WHAT?! What a load of crap.” My second thought was a wash of satisfaction, because my blog reading level allows more readers to enjoy and understand our content.
That’s important. Many writers take on this lofty, arrogant attitude that anything written should be works that rival… Oh, I dunno. The works of Dickens or Shakespeare or something. I’m not into big, fancy, classical reading. It bores me to tears.
Why would anyone want to eliminate readers by using five-syllable words in phrases so convoluted and complex they are almost an art form to plaster on walls in a frame? Why is succinct, concise and simple language beneath the craft of writing? When did high levels of formal education become a requirement to enjoying a good read?
When did easy-to-read writing become a sign of a lack of intelligence?
Never.
Transmitting ideas, concepts and messages via words – written words – in language that reaches a maximum number of people because it is understandable is desirable.
Using short sentences and common words is a sign of a writer’s confidence. That person doesn’t feel the need to elevate him or herself to get a message across. There is no need to show off. That person is confident about him or herself.
I’m proud that my teenage daughter can read my blog to learn something new. I’m proud my French next-door neighbor who struggles with English subscribes to my feed – and discusses my posts with me. I’m proud that busy people appreciate the fast reading without having to break their head figuring out what I’m trying to say.
I wear my elementary reading level badge proudly. I exclude no one from reading my content. Besides, that rating is certainly no reflection on my own personal genius 
17 Responses to “Why You Should Write At Elementary School Levels”
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You’re right! Generally speaking, the lower the reading level the easier the material is for the reader to access.
The statistics I found show that the average adult reads at a seventh grade level, so I was pleased that the test showed my blog to be written at a Junior High reading level. That should be just right for most people.
Of course, it all depends on your audience and your purpose. If you’re blogging to show how many big words you know or your audience is a bunch of brain surgeons, blogging at a genius reading level might be just what you need to do!
Of course, the test was really just in fun.
My blog came in a junior high school level, so I guess I should take it down a notch. Interestingly, that is exactly how I was when I started writing. I wonder if that has anything to do with it. I do make a conscious effort to avoid big words and fancy phrases because I’d like Writing Forward to be accessible to writers of all ages. Thanks for sharing this, I’m going to go post my badge now!
-Melissa Donovan
Writing Forward
Spot on. There has been huge debate on some other blogs about whether people should ‘dumb down’ their writing. But recent surveys have shown the poor literacy level of university graduates in the US. If the average reader cannot understand, they aren’t going to be impressed by your flowery vocabulary.
Strong business writing is about clarity, and any professional writer will tell you that Orwell’s rules of clear writing apply -
# Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.
# Never use a long word where a short one will do.
# If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
# Never use the passive voice where you can use the active.
# Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
# Break any of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous..
I wrote on this topic here – http://www.jonathancrossfield.com/blog/2007/10/why-being-a-good-writer-can-ma.html
and the wonderful Copyblogger also covers the topic here – http://www.copyblogger.com/to-be-or-not-to-be/.
Good article.
@ Laura – Ech, I’ll admit it. I like little tests like that. Hey, it gave me something to blog about!
@ Melissa – I think you have a good reading level on your blog. Suits you. (Your email not working, btw?)
@ Kimota – good tips, and ones I try to apply. Also, thanks for the links, they were worthy of being checked out!
One note: Most stats about reader levels referred to in the comments of this post reflect those of the U.S. and don’t reflect the reading levels of other countries.
One of the best web design usability books I have ever read is called, “Don’t Make Me Think.”
Learning grammar is a good thing, but I have spend the last 7 years trying to unlearn the scholastic model of writing so that I can be a better writer. I got an elementary school rating too.
I like reading more complex stuff (in print), but I have a hard time digesting complex sentences when I read them on my computer screen. In digital format, the traditional rules don’t apply. Simple is better.
Back in the print world, my colleagues and I aim at a grade 9 level in order to make a document accessible to the majority of readers without alienating those at the upper end of the literacy scale. Add the physical challenges of reading on a screen instead of a paper page, and it only makes sense to scale back a few grades. So, you must be writing right!
Hear hear! I just wish more corporate writers, not just bloggers, would take this advice. Readers who want to work when they read will pick up a copy of “Ulysses” — they won’t make the effort to read a blog, a company Web site or a corporate brochure.
@ Jen – Hm, very true. Print is one thing, screen is another. Thanks for the pat on the back!
@ Cindy – Ha, I wish *people* would take this advice, not just corporate writers and bloggers!
@ Sunny – My biggest challenge was unlearning the double space after a period.
See, I’ve come to love and appreciate my genius level blog. Quality is important to me.
Uhh… I hope you’re not implying that we’re not about quality…
I try to keep it simple. I don’t know the background of my readers, and I’m trying to reach as many as possible. The majority of my websites are ranked at the elementary level. I did that purposely. There are some people are turned off by those who use a lot of big words. They view them as pompous of course that isn’t always true. On my websites I thought about the impression I wanted to convey I make it as user friendly as possible
My newest website, Addicted to Writing, is at the junior high level; however, my alternative healing website is ranked at the college level. Some of the terms I use cannot be avoided. However, I always explain what they mean.
James, you have a quality website. Just because a website is ranked higher doesn’t mean its quality. I have a few books in my possession that I wish I had never bought, but I know they would rank high because of the words used.
The content on here is simple and concise you try not to leave anyone out. I like that.
I have a few books I wish I had never bought, too. Genius is no indication of quality. I’ve worked with many people over the years who were incredibly intelligent, quite possibly geniuses, but their smarts often got in the way of common sense and courtesy.
@James..
Noooo by no means was I implying that you’re not about quality. This is a great blog… I guess I stuck my foot in my mouth on that one. Sorry!
James, I love good copy – stuff that roles off the tongue that any 4th grader could grasp.
As you already know, the web is perfect for good copy and will punish anything that can’t be easily consumed like popcorn at a movie.
Joe
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