a. Describe one specific technique you used to improve readability in your revised version and explain why it is effective. (4 Marks)
Technique – Eliminating Jargon
One specific technique I used to improve readability is the elimination of jargon and additional words that made my content hard to skim. My audience needs to have clear information about what they are looking for, understand it, and be able to act on it. In my original version, I had way too much information. This made it harder to read and retain. People do not have time to read everything. If the information is unclear, they simply won’t care and move onto the next thing. It does not fulfill their purposes and does not encourage them to act on it.
For example:
Old Subhead: “So, What Even is Pilates?”
New subhead: “What is Pilates?”
Previously, I added extra information and words that made my content confusing and harder to understand to my intended audience. By using this technique, I was able to eliminate words and sentences that did not provide value to my audience. I overexplained a lot of details throughout my content in an attempt to create a more personal and engaging tone. However, this writing style was ineffective because it cluttered what my underlining objective was. The goal was to introduce my business as a blog post. I elaborated more on what “Pilates is” more than what “True Pilates Windsor offers”.
Why is it effective?
This plain language writing technique is effective because it helped me get in the mind of my audience. Moreover, it deepened my understanding on what they need to act. It helped me structure my content in order of importance as well. By eliminating unnecessary information, I have content conveys the most relevant, critical, and important information. It wasn’t about dumbing it down, it was about removing things that had little to no purpose to my audience. My audience can now clearly understand what my business and content is about. By doing so, it enhances their engagement and interest.
My audience is much more likely to stay on my website because they can easily digest the information, while skimming too! This technique is effective because it makes my content accessible and possible. I am cutting straight to the meat of my content and purpose all while making it engaging to read. The use of this technique allows me to align with what my audience needs, help them understand, and drive them to act. My content now clearly communicates what my business is about without creating confusion or disinterest. My audience will not dread reading my content, because it is formatted and structured to the way my people/audience behave on the web.
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