Take Time to Check the Reading Levels of Your Training Materials

When was the last time you checked the reading grade levels of your training materials and online courses?  The training experience does not need to feel as though you enrolled in a doctoral program.  The Plain Writing Act of 2010 requires US federal agencies to use clear government communication that the public can understand and use.  (Check out https://www.plainlanguage.gov/guidelines/ for more information and guidelines.)  

While it may not be the law for most of us, we can do the same.  Gone are the days of reaching for the thesaurus.  Today we should use language that is accessible and does not get in the way of learning.  Don’t make your training materials difficult just for difficulty’s sake.  Even if your organization requires a college degree for a specific position, it does not mean new hire training must be written on a college reading level or higher.

Not sure where to start?  Free resources, such as https://hemingwayapp.com/, can not only check the reading grade level, but they can also check for use of passive voice, show sentences that have a simpler alternative, or sentences that might be hard to read.  Most newspapers aim for a grade reading level between the 8th and 10th grade, which can be a starting point for most training programs.  The end result will be saved training time as well as increased comprehension and retention.

This tip is provided by QATC Board Member Adam Brown of Western & Southern. He may be reached at adam.brown@westernsouthernlife.com.