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Be concise

Be concise Bad Practice
Be concise Best Practice

On average, users read about 20% of webpage content. Instead of reading word-by-word, people prefer scanning and grasping concepts at a glance.[1] Unfortunately, some UX authors misinterpret this rule, thinking that the copy should always be short and sacrifice its clarity. Concise copy still has to be efficient, implying that each word serves a purpose.

How can you make your writing concise?

  • Cut down redundant words. Avoid unnecessary filler words like articles, prepositions, auxiliary verbs, passive voice, or linking words (such as "that," "in order to," "in case," "even though," "look like," etc.) if they can be removed without breaking the sentence's meaning, or rephrase the text completely.
  • Break content into small digestible chunks. Chunking makes content easier to scan, comprehend, and identify. Short, meaningful sentences are easier to comprehend for all users, especially for those living with reading disabilities. On average, people with moderate reading abilities can grasp sentences containing 5-8 words.
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