I’ve written thousands of articles over the years. And I kept noticing the same problem.
People would tell me they wanted to read my content but couldn’t get through it. Not because the ideas were hard. Because the way I wrote made their brain work too hard.
That hit me differently than I expected.
Millions of readers deal with dyslexia and ADHD. They’re smart. They want to learn. But dense text shuts them out before they even start.
Here’s what changed for me: I learned that simple writing isn’t about dumbing things down. It’s about removing barriers.
This guide gives you the rules I use now. They come from web accessibility standards (WCAG) and cognitive science research. But I’ve stripped out the technical stuff and kept what actually works.
You’re here because you want to write for everyone. Not just people who breeze through complex sentences.
I’ll show you how to structure your content so it’s clear and easy to follow. You’ll learn which writing habits create problems and which ones help readers stay focused.
lwspeakstyle uses these principles in everything we publish. That’s how I know they work in real writing, not just in theory.
You don’t need to be an accessibility expert. You just need to care about reaching more people.
Let’s make your writing work for everyone.
The Core Principle: Reducing Cognitive Load
Cognitive load is the mental effort your brain uses to process information.
Every time you read a sentence, your mind works to decode it. Complex sentences pile on more work. Unfamiliar words add another layer. Poor formatting makes it even harder.
For someone with dyslexia or a processing disorder, this gets exhausting fast. They burn through mental energy just trying to read the words. By the time they finish a paragraph, there’s nothing left for actually understanding what it means.
Think about it like this. If I’m spending all my effort figuring out what you’re saying, I can’t focus on why it matters.
Here’s what most people miss.
Clear writing isn’t just for people with learning disabilities. It helps everyone.
When I write in plain language at lwspeakstyle, I notice something interesting. Engagement goes up across the board. Non-native English speakers get it faster. Busy professionals who skim between meetings actually retain the information.
Even experts appreciate it. They don’t want to wade through jargon when they’re in a hurry.
The benefits are simple:
• Faster comprehension for all readers
• Better retention of key points
• Less re-reading required
You might think dumbing things down means losing substance. But that’s not what this is about. I’m not removing complexity from ideas. I’m removing unnecessary friction from how those ideas reach your brain.
Guideline 1: Simplify Your Sentences and Structure
You know what kills good writing?
Sentences that go on forever.
I see it all the time. Writers pack three ideas into one sentence and wonder why readers bounce. Your brain can only hold so much before it needs a break.
Here’s what works: Keep sentences between 15 and 20 words.
Not every single one. But most of them.
Think about how you talk to a friend. You don’t say “The report was written by the team after extensive research was conducted.” You say “The team wrote the report after doing research.”
See the difference? Active voice puts the doer first. It’s direct.
Some writing coaches will tell you that mixing in longer sentences adds rhythm. They’re right. But if you’re struggling with clarity, start by cutting your sentences down first. You can add complexity later once you’ve nailed the basics.
One paragraph should hold one main idea.
That’s it. When you jump from talking about sentence length to discussing paragraph structure to explaining voice all in the same block of text, readers get lost. (I’ve done this more times than I want to admit.)
Use simple connectors. Words like “and,” “but,” and “so” work fine. You don’t need “moreover” or “consequently” unless you’re writing a legal brief.
Let me show you what I mean.
Before: “The comprehensive fashion guide lwspeakstyle approach, which was developed by our team, can be utilized by writers who are seeking to improve their communication effectiveness.”
After: “Our fashion guide lwspeakstyle helps writers communicate better. The team built it to be simple and direct.”
See how much easier that reads?
I think we’ll see more brands moving toward this style in the next few years. Attention spans aren’t getting longer. The writers who adapt will connect with readers. The ones who don’t will keep wondering why nobody reads past the first paragraph.
Pro tip: Read your work out loud. If you run out of breath mid-sentence, it’s too long.
Guideline 2: Choose Your Words Carefully
Words matter more than you think.
I see writers all the time who pick complicated terms when simple ones work better. They think it makes them sound smarter. It doesn’t. It just makes readers work harder.
Prefer Common Words
Say “use” instead of “utilize.” Say “help” instead of “facilitate.” Your readers aren’t impressed by big words. They just want to understand what you’re saying.
Think about it this way. When you talk to a friend, you don’t say “I need to utilize the restroom.” You say “I need to use the bathroom.” Write the same way you talk.
Avoid Idioms and Metaphors
Here’s where things get tricky.
Phrases like “hit the road” or “a piece of cake” seem normal to you. But not everyone gets them. Someone learning English might think you’re literally hitting pavement or eating dessert.
Say “leave” instead of “hit the road.” Say “easy” instead of “a piece of cake.” Direct language wins every time.
Some writers argue that idioms add personality and color to writing. They say it makes content feel more human and relatable. And sure, I get that appeal.
But here’s what they’re missing. Clarity beats personality when someone’s trying to learn something. You can be engaging without being confusing (and trust me, confused readers just leave).
Define Acronyms and Jargon
Sometimes you can’t avoid technical terms. That’s fine. Just explain them the first time you use them.
Write it out like this: “Search Engine Optimization (SEO)” or “Return on Investment (ROI).” After that, you can use the short version.
Be Consistent with Terminology
Pick one word and stick with it.
Don’t call someone a “customer” in one paragraph, a “client” in the next, and a “user” after that. It sounds like you’re talking about three different groups. You’re not. So don’t write like you are.
The lwspeakstyle fashion trends from letwomenspeak approach shows this well. When they talk about seasonal pieces, they call them seasonal pieces throughout. Not “seasonal items” here and “seasonal wardrobe additions” there.
Use Positive Phrasing
Your brain processes positive statements faster than negative ones.
Compare these two: “Remember to sign out” vs “Don’t forget to not stay signed in.”
The first one is clear. The second one makes you pause and untangle the double negative. Why make your readers work that hard?
Say what to do, not what not to do.
Guideline 3: Use Formatting to Enhance Readability
You know what makes people bounce from a page in seconds?
A wall of text.
I see it all the time. Someone writes great content but formats it like a college essay. No breaks. No breathing room. Just paragraph after paragraph stacked on top of each other.
Your readers won’t stick around for that.
Here’s what works instead.
Break It Up With Clear Headings
Think of headings as signposts. They tell people where they’re going before they get there.
When you use H2s and H3s properly, readers can scan your content in about 10 seconds and decide if it’s worth their time. (And yes, everyone scans before they read.)
This isn’t just about looking nice. It’s about respecting the fact that people are busy.
Lists Make Everything Easier
Bullet points and numbered lists do something simple but powerful. They take complex information and make it digestible.
Compare these two approaches. You could write three paragraphs explaining a process. Or you could break it into a numbered list that someone can follow step by step.
The list wins every time.
Why? Because our brains process structured information faster. We remember it better too.
White Space Is Your Friend
Short paragraphs matter more than you think.
When I write, I aim for two to four sentences max. Sometimes just one. It creates space on the page that makes people want to keep reading.
Wide margins help. Line spacing helps. Anything that reduces visual clutter makes your content feel approachable instead of overwhelming.
Bold Text Shows What Matters
When you want to emphasize something, use bold text.
Not italics. Not underlines.
Bold is clear. It jumps off the page and tells readers “this part is important.” Italics get lost in long passages. Underlines look like links (which confuses people).
Pro tip: Don’t bold entire sentences. Just the key words or phrases that carry the weight.
The lwspeakstyle approach to formatting isn’t complicated. It’s about making your content easy to consume so readers actually stick around and get value from what you wrote.
Making Accessibility Your Standard Practice
You came here to learn how to make your writing work for everyone.
Now you have the tools to do it.
I’ve shown you how simple changes can open doors. Shorter sentences help readers follow your ideas. Clear words replace confusion with understanding. Smart formatting guides the eye where it needs to go.
These aren’t just nice touches. They’re how you reach people who might otherwise struggle with your content.
The barrier between you and your readers doesn’t have to exist.
Here’s what I want you to do: Pick one guideline from this list. Just one. Apply it to whatever you’re writing next. See how it changes things.
Maybe you’ll break up a long paragraph. Maybe you’ll swap out a complicated word for something simpler. Start small.
lwspeakstyle is built on the idea that good communication shouldn’t be hard work for your audience.
Your next piece of writing is your chance to prove that accessibility isn’t extra effort. It’s just better writing. Homepage.
