Readability scores are easy to game and hard to game well. Most "improve readability" advice tells you to shorten sentences and use simpler words, which is correct but useless without specifics. This guide gives you the nine edits that produce the biggest score improvements while keeping your voice intact.
The nine edits, ordered by leverage
- Replace one polysyllabic word per sentence. The largest single lever. utilize → use; demonstrate → show; approximately → about.
- Cut every "very" and "really". "Very tired" → "exhausted"; "really fast" → "fast".
- Break sentences over 25 words. Look for coordinating conjunctions and split there.
- Replace passive with active. "Mistakes were made" → "We made mistakes".
- Delete throat-clearing openers. "It is important to note that…" — cut entirely.
- Replace nominalizations with verbs. "Make a decision" → "decide"; "conduct an investigation" → "investigate".
- Use lists instead of comma runs. Convert long comma-separated runs to bullet lists.
- Front-load the verb. Subject and verb near the start of every sentence.
- Read out loud. Every sentence you stumble over reading aloud is a sentence the reader will stumble over too.
What not to do
- Don't write nine-word sentences in a row — reads like a school primer.
- Don't replace precise jargon if your audience knows it.
- Don't pad to hit a target — readers reward substantive over short.
Verify with the readability tools
After editing, paste the revised draft into the Word Counter. Flesch Reading Ease should rise 5–10 points; Flesch–Kincaid should drop a grade. If only one number changes meaningfully, you've optimised one input — usually you'll see Gunning Fog and SMOG move together once polysyllabic words are reduced.
Background: Flesch Reading Ease explained. Readability grade levels explained. The Readability Guide.
