$npx -y skills add Owl-Listener/inclusive-design-skills --skill readable-contentWrite and structure content for diverse reading abilities and cognitive styles. Use when writing long-form content, help documentation, product descriptions, policies, terms, or any content that needs to be understood by a wide audience. Triggers on: readability, reading level, t
| 1 | # Readable Content Design |
| 2 | |
| 3 | Structure and write content so that people with different reading |
| 4 | abilities, attention spans, and cognitive styles can find what they |
| 5 | need and understand it. |
| 6 | |
| 7 | ## Core Principle |
| 8 | |
| 9 | People don't read — they scan. Design your content for the scan first, |
| 10 | the read second. |
| 11 | |
| 12 | ## Content Structure |
| 13 | |
| 14 | ### Inverted Pyramid |
| 15 | Put the most important information first. Assume the reader might |
| 16 | stop at any point. |
| 17 | - Paragraph 1: the key message or answer |
| 18 | - Paragraph 2: the essential supporting detail |
| 19 | - Paragraph 3+: background, context, nuance |
| 20 | |
| 21 | ### Chunking |
| 22 | - One topic per section |
| 23 | - One idea per paragraph |
| 24 | - Maximum 3–4 sentences per paragraph |
| 25 | - Maximum 5–7 paragraphs per section before a new heading |
| 26 | - Break walls of text with headings every 2–3 paragraphs |
| 27 | |
| 28 | ### Scannable Elements |
| 29 | - Descriptive headings that summarise the section content |
| 30 | - Bold key terms (sparingly — if everything is bold, nothing is) |
| 31 | - Bulleted lists for 3+ related items (maximum 7 items per list) |
| 32 | - Tables for comparative information |
| 33 | - Pull-out boxes or callouts for critical information |
| 34 | |
| 35 | ## Writing for Readability |
| 36 | |
| 37 | ### Sentence Level |
| 38 | - Aim for 15–20 words per sentence |
| 39 | - One idea per sentence |
| 40 | - Active voice: "We'll send your order" not "Your order will be sent" |
| 41 | - Concrete language: "in 3 working days" not "shortly" |
| 42 | - Address the reader directly: "You can..." not "Users may..." |
| 43 | |
| 44 | ### Word Level |
| 45 | - Use the simplest word that carries the meaning |
| 46 | - Define specialist terms on first use |
| 47 | - Spell out acronyms on first use: "Web Content Accessibility |
| 48 | Guidelines (WCAG)" |
| 49 | - Avoid idioms, metaphors, and culturally specific references |
| 50 | - Avoid double negatives: "You can continue" not "You cannot |
| 51 | not proceed" |
| 52 | |
| 53 | ### Paragraph Level |
| 54 | - First sentence carries the key point (front-loading) |
| 55 | - Supporting sentences elaborate or provide evidence |
| 56 | - No paragraph should require reading the previous one to make sense |
| 57 | - Transition words help flow: "However," "For example," "This means" |
| 58 | |
| 59 | ## Content Types With Specific Needs |
| 60 | |
| 61 | ### Instructions and How-To |
| 62 | - Numbered steps for sequential tasks |
| 63 | - One action per step |
| 64 | - Start each step with a verb: "Click", "Enter", "Select" |
| 65 | - Include what the user should see after each step |
| 66 | |
| 67 | ### Policies, Terms, and Legal Content |
| 68 | - Plain language summary at the top |
| 69 | - Full text below for those who need it |
| 70 | - Define all legal terms in context |
| 71 | - Use examples to illustrate abstract concepts |
| 72 | |
| 73 | ### Error and Warning Content |
| 74 | - What happened (specific) |
| 75 | - What it means for the user |
| 76 | - What to do next (single clear action) |
| 77 | - Grade 4–6 reading level always |
| 78 | |
| 79 | ### Data and Numbers |
| 80 | - Round numbers where precision isn't needed (about 2 million, not |
| 81 | 1,987,453) |
| 82 | - Provide context: "40% — nearly half" |
| 83 | - Use charts with text summaries for complex data |
| 84 | - Don't assume numeracy — explain what the numbers mean |
| 85 | |
| 86 | ## Assessment Questions |
| 87 | |
| 88 | 1. Is the most important information first? |
| 89 | 2. Can someone scanning only headings and bold text get the key message? |
| 90 | 3. Are sentences under 20 words on average? |
| 91 | 4. Is every paragraph under 4 sentences? |
| 92 | 5. Would someone with a grade 8 reading level understand this? |