Why People are not Reading Your Writing

I didn’t mean for the title of this post to sound so harsh, but I needed to grab your attention! What I actually wanted to say was “five ways to make your writing more legible”.

With that said, I know in this day and age we are a generation who does not have the patience to sit and read through long or bulky articles. A study on people’s online reading habits showed that 6 out of 10 people will share an article without reading it until the end.

With so much to read or watch, I find myself hurriedly skimming over text and even omitting a few of the middle paragraphs if what I’m reading is too long. Frankly, it is a very bad habit. I mean, what happened to taking our time to fully immerse ourselves in the fabric of the text? Whatever the reasons are, and whether rushing our reading is the virtuous thing to do or not, this is the current trend.

So I am going share some tips to make your writing more “scannable”, ie more attractive, easier on the eye, digestible – however you’d like to describe it.

1. Write lists. Opting for one-line, bullet-pointed lists are easier to digest than paragraphs.

2. Break your text in paragraphs. Remember the “point, example, explain” rule you were taught in your English class? Well, that still applies.

3. Use subheadings. This will encourage you to stay concise and will give your reader a sense of making progress through your blog post or article.

4. Include images. If you feel like your writing is getting too long, using a photo, even if it’s a vase of flowers will give your reader a bit of a break.

5. Opt for 1.5 spacing. Always write with your reader’s eye in mind. Unlike single line spacing, 1.5 lines will prevent your reader from getting the lines mixed up and bouncing off your page in frustration.

If you are still reading, thank you very much! I hope my tips have helped. Please share any other tips you might have, and let me know if you will apply any of my advice.

41 Comments

  1. Gabrielle
    February 17, 2018 / 9:52 pm

    Some great tips, thanks Madeline! I think imagery is a fabulous way of drawing readers to your writing, as well as breaking up longer paragraphs into less daunting, bitesize chunks πŸ™‚ Have a lovely weekend!aglassofice.com x

    • Madeline Wilson-Ojo
      February 18, 2018 / 1:49 pm

      You are most welcome Gabrielle. You always have the best images anyway. Paragraphs are real important because large chunks of text just looks like too much.

  2. Rebecca D. Thomas
    February 20, 2018 / 2:45 am

    Excellent tips!! I am going to save these! In fact, I wonder if my latest blog post is readable, or scannable – I'm thinking probably not!! I'm glad I found your blog!

    • Madeline Wilson-Ojo
      February 20, 2018 / 4:15 pm

      Hi Rebecca. I am very chuffed that you will put these practices to use. Please can you share the url of your blog with us?

    • Madeline Wilson-Ojo
      February 20, 2018 / 4:18 pm

      Hi Ana, I am glad that this resonated with you. Here is to better writing!

  3. Ellen Ross | Ask Away Blog
    February 20, 2018 / 1:45 pm

    YESSSS to all of these. I wish more bloggers would follow these tips. They could be doing so much better. I always try to give them advice to help them grow.

    • Madeline Wilson-Ojo
      February 20, 2018 / 4:28 pm

      Thank you Ellen. I am glad you agree with these points. Please continue to share your advice!

  4. Nwamaka Ajaegbu
    February 20, 2018 / 6:40 pm

    Helpful post, Madeline. Thank you. I could call you a blogger's blogger. Keep inspiring us!amakamedia.com

    • Madeline Wilson-Ojo
      February 21, 2018 / 9:27 am

      Aaaw, what a compliment! I have always wanted this space to provide value so I am really glad you have found this helpful. God bless you. x

  5. Ashley Idle
    February 21, 2018 / 12:14 am

    Great article. I tend to do many of these things in my own writing, but I think I'm going to adapt the picture idea, especially for longer posts.Thanks!http://ashlovesfoodanddrink.wordpress.com

    • Madeline Wilson-Ojo
      February 21, 2018 / 9:29 am

      Hi Ashley, you are already on track to great writing. Watch this space, I will be providing more tips so we can all be our best as bloggers and content creators.

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    • Madeline Wilson-Ojo
      February 21, 2018 / 9:30 am

      Thank you so much Lukhi, I am really flattered. I hope to be sharing more so please watch this space!

  7. LianaLaurie
    February 21, 2018 / 6:38 pm

    Amazing post, dear! These are very good and helpful tips. I also have to say that you look soooo beautiful in your profile picture! Simply stunning.A big hello from Germany!Hugs β™₯LIANA LAURIE

    • Madeline Wilson-Ojo
      February 22, 2018 / 1:24 pm

      Thank you Liana, I am glad you found them helpful. And thank you so much for the compliment. I am thinking of changing it very soon!

  8. Shasha Rshan
    February 21, 2018 / 7:01 pm

    Very nice and interesting post. I always recommend for subheadings, paragraphs and being short and precise. Our generation is not into reading 5 pages long of words.www.rshanphonsi.com

    • Madeline Wilson-Ojo
      February 22, 2018 / 1:26 pm

      Thanks Shasha. You are very right. Our generation just don't have the time!

  9. Jessica Hugo
    February 28, 2018 / 7:52 pm

    Sometimes also, i think it has to do with font size. People already have many eye issues to start squinting & struggling to read whatever it is you wrote. Sometimes it could be illegible fonts too. Those ones that are so stylish that you'll see 'come' and think it's 'gone'. Could be a major turn-off.Insightful post BTW, http://jessicahugoinspire.com

    • Madeline Wilson-Ojo
      February 28, 2018 / 11:07 pm

      Yes lady you are so right! Font size and style can be a major turn off. But seeing 'come' and thinking it's 'gone' is serious! Hahaha!

  10. LoriKemi
    March 8, 2018 / 8:23 pm

    I have a tendency to write a lot, and I realized that it helps to use some of the formatting/ editing techniques you mentioned above. But I definitely have to write more concisely in the long term… || http://www.lorikemi.com

    • Madeline Wilson-Ojo
      March 10, 2018 / 12:42 am

      Yes, I wote this post for guys that write a lot. Just like myself! Formatting always helps.

  11. Olaa Bobade
    April 3, 2018 / 10:32 pm

    Hahaha, very helpful tips. I love to use the picture mechanism. Lol

    • Madeline Wilson-Ojo
      April 4, 2018 / 11:52 am

      Thank you! I am glad you enjoyed the tips πŸ™‚

  12. Unknown
    August 6, 2018 / 6:12 pm

    Very informative. Always learning! Thank you!

    • Madeline Wilson-Ojo
      September 7, 2018 / 4:03 am

      Thank you. I'm glad you think so. X

  13. Unknown
    September 12, 2018 / 7:33 pm

    Simple, but really effective tipsl I actually read this from start to finish, so your tips have proven themselves to be true. Loved this x

    • Madeline Wilson-Ojo
      September 17, 2018 / 10:00 am

      Oh wow. Thank you so much!

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