Make Every Word Count: Applying Jakobson’s Theory to UX Content
Jakobson’s Linguistic Functions in UX Writing
Writing
En Dashes and Em Dashes in US and UK English
Confusing the en dash and the em dash in your writing is a common mistake. Here we focus on the differences in how US and UK English treat them.
Plain language – the choice is clear
There are barriers to implementing plain language; understanding these barriers will help you to explain the benefits.
Readability Formulas: 7 Reasons to Avoid Them and What to Do Instead
Web magazine about user experience matters, providing insights and inspiration for the user experience community
Using clear and effective headings
Headings determine the structure and hierarchy of your content so they are very important for both the accessibility and the general readability of y...
How To Create a Tone of Voice for UX Writing
Learn everything you need to know about tone of voice in UX writing—including why it matters and how to define one for your brand.
On words as worn-out coins
Language shapes our world, but overuse dulls its meaning. Like worn-out coins, words lose value as we use, exchange and adapt them.
What is a passive verb?
When the subject of a sentence isn't doing something the verb is passive. Find out more about passive verbs in this Bitesize Primary KS2 guides.
Why we use plain English
This absolutely ancient (from 2015) blog post by Ben Clancy, then at the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), stands up rather nicely. Sometimes, it really is important to remind people why you use plain English. It can be helpful for your audience, sure. But also colleagues and teams that you work with from day to day.
Making a case for letter case
A little thing like capitalization can be a big deal
Federal plain language guidelines
The official writing guidelines for the Plain Writing Act of 2010.
Do not use "reading age" when thinking about adults
Reading age means very different things when applied to children and to adults. Do not use it for adults.
Headings and titles
A collaboratively developed, universal content style guide, based on usability evidence. Created by Content Design London.
Talking about the future
Learn about the different verb forms you can use to talk about the future, and do the exercises to practise using them.
Personal pronouns
Learn about personal pronouns like I, me, you, we and us and do the exercises to practise using them.
Active and passive voice with examples
Learn how to form the passive voice and do the exercises to practise using it.
What’s the difference between ACTIVE & PASSIVE?
What are the active and passive voices in English? We use the active voice in a sentence when the subject performs a verb. For example: “Jim wrote a letter”. We use the passive voice when the subject is acted on by the verb. For example: “The letter was delivered by the postman”. Now, when should you use which voice? That is the question! In this English grammar lesson, I will teach you about using the active and passive voices. I will explain in more detail the difference between the two and give you lots of examples to solidify your understanding. I will also show you how to change a sentence from active to passive, or passive to active. You will learn some reasons why you might choose one or the other. This will help you in everyday speaking, as well as in writing, making your English more varied and interesting.
What are the active and passive voices in English? We use the active voice in a sentence when the subject performs a verb. For example: “Jim wrote a letter”. We use the passive voice when the subject is acted on by the verb. For example: “The letter was delivered by the postman”. Now, when should you use which voice? That is the question! In this English grammar lesson, I will teach you about using the active and passive voices. I will explain in more detail the difference between the two and give you lots of examples to solidify your understanding. I will also show you how to change a sentence from active to passive, or passive to active. You will learn some reasons why you might choose one or the other. This will help you in everyday speaking, as well as in writing, making your English more varied and interesting. Don’t forget to do the quiz after watching! https://www.engvid.com/learn-english-...What are the active and passive voices in English? We use the active voice in a sentence when the subject performs a verb. For example: “Jim wrote a letter”. We use the passive voice when the subject is acted on by the verb. For example: “The letter was delivered by the postman”. Now, when should you use which voice? That is the questi …...more...more
Plain language for academic & professional writing
Plain language principles are useful for professional and academic writing. Learn how to use plain language to communicate effectively.
Writing effective letters
How to write and redesign letters so they're easy to use.
The real cost of not using clear language
Advice for convincing your place of work that writing in clearer language would be beneficial. Use the results of powerful research to help persuade and influence.
Plain language and word choice
GOV.UK guide to writing headings
How to write well for your audience, including specialists.
How should we draft our privacy information?
How to write plain language effectively
Love these short slides by June C, a content design consultant at SPARCK. While I love a comprehensive online course, you can't beat a few good ideas on a handful of screens to get a message across.
Noun vs Verb: What’s the Difference?
If you don't mind me saying so, I am pretty good at writing in clear language. But can I remember all the different types of verb, noun and any other linguistic reference without checking Google? Nope. Nope I can't.
Quick and useful explanation of the active voice
Here is a smashing and very short post on LinkedIn by Hannah Collins, content design lead at Today. Some people find it tricky to spot the difference between the active and passive voice, so I am very much into this kind of concise overview.
The case for jargon
I like this piece by content designer, Amy Hupe, because it acknowledges the nuances of language and even plain English. Yes, in most cases, jargon should be avoided. But jargon can empower people and communities too.
UX writing: making our microcopy clear, concise and useful
Miles Taylor, now at Torchbox, wrote this while at University of Bristol. It comes from having pulled a load of information together to try and explain the benefits of UX writing and clear content to internal project teams. This is a job that often seems to fall to us content folk. Plain language? Explain yourself!
How to Write in Plain English (With Examples)
Another concise guide to writing in plain English, this time from Proofed. This one includes examples, which always helps when trying to understand some of the core principles of writing clearly.
Writing about actions and their effects
First of all, you should read Adobe's guidelines on inclusive language. And then in the page on writing with visuals, you'll find a short table that shows some examples of how to write actions. Things like, 'Enter email' instead of 'Type email address', as the user may not be typing if they are using a screen reader.