How to Improve Writing How To Books in 5 Easy Steps

How to Improve Writing How To Books in 5 Easy Steps

writing a book**** Warning this blog entry was written after far too much Halloween candy over the weekend.  ****

**** Read at your own risk ****

I was asked, not too long ago, to explain how I was able to write so well. Meaning clearly and easily read. I’m sure the individual was expecting a long answer. They were shocked when the answer was only two words: Flesch-Kincaid.

You see, I know how the Flesch-Kincaid readability test calculates grade level. And I know when to ignore it.

There, now you know how to create easily read, clear, precise text for your how to book. And I can go back to writing my next hunk of web copy! Bye for this week!

Okay, I’m being facetious. I am going to give you the details. But it really is that easy. Know the rules. Know when to break the rules. Do what you know. Simple. Easy. (That’s a hint, folks!)

So let’s start. What is the Flesch-Kincaid Readability Test Grade Level formula? Yup, it’s a mathematical formula. (Hey, you in the back, stop screaming. The rest of you stop looking so scared. And you, there, yes, you. That’s disgusting. You clean that up. Now! ) Don’t worry, it’s a simple formula and we don’t really care what it is anyway.

What it’s about is readability. Basically, what it does is evaluate text and return the U.S. school grade which theoretically is able to read it easily. The lower the grade, the easier it is to read. It’s just the reverse of school – the lower your grade the better!

Now the whole calculation looks something like this ….

0.39 x (total words/total sentences) +
          11.8 x (total syllables/total words) – 15.59

Who cares? Certainly not me. I’m not going to calculate that. That’s what MS Word’s word count is for. The important thing is that calculation is based on average words per sentence and average syllables per word. As a writer that’s all I care about. Get the words per sentence down. Use simple words whenever possible. Result? Good writing. Easily read how to book. Happy reader. Happy writer. Maybe, happy agent? Yay!!!! Everyone happy!

See Dick read. Read Dick read. See Dick run. Run Dick run. See Dick threaten Author. See Author run. Run Author run. Author runs fast. Dick runs faster. Oops, poor Author. Big mess. See constable take Dick away.

Yes, it’s not that easy. You need to break the rules every once in a while just to keep Dick from losing his cool and threatening you with a great big knife.  (Is that why so many authors I know like big sharp pointies?) Knowing when to obey the rules and when to disobey is that grey area that creates good writing.

Over the next few blogs entries, I’m going to share with you 5 easy ways to improve your writing. And the three exceptions that turn your writing professional.

So … Wednesday, I’ll start with techniques for shortening your sentences.

Keep Learning, Keep Earning

Glen Ford

& the LearningCreators team.