Here you find a list of rules to follow for producing texts in the Easy-to-read variety of expression in English.

The following brief set of rules for the production of "easy to read" materials in English has been published by the Government of the UK (on https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inclusive-communication/accessible-communication-formats#easy-read-and-makaton) [Accessed in June 2020]

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How to produce easy read materials:

  • keep the number of pages to 24 or less. If there are more, break the text up into more than one publication
  • keep sentences short – they should be no more than ten to 15 words
  • each sentence should have just one idea and one verb
  • use 14 point font size
  • make sentences active not passive: “we are following up your complaint” (active tense) not “your complaint is being followed up” (passive tense)
  • take out words that are not needed, for example, say ’for 14 days’ not ‘for a period of 14 days’
  • include a glossary explaining abbreviations and jargon, and an index, at the end of the document
  • use full words not acronyms
  • if you need to use difficult words or ideas, say what they mean – do this in the next sentence, not as part of the same sentence
  • use a different colour or bold type but keep a good contrast with the paper
  • use pictures to support the meaning of your text

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