From letters on a page to words, meaning, and memory — When someone reads your writing, the most complex object in the universe is performing one of its most challenging tasks. If everything works, it’s effortless, creating very little cognitive load. Your readers don’t consciously move their eyes, decipher letters, or sound out words. …

The current state of the “short words and sentences” approach to readable writing — Most advice today on making your writing more readable is based on a 1948 psychology paper that emphasized shorter words and sentences. In the article below I discuss that classic tradition, plus a few recent variations, as useful background for the larger approach I develop in other pieces. I’ll cover: …

Conveying an accurate message to the widest-possible audience — I’ve sometimes wondered if readability and translatability are related qualities. If so, what could they teach me about each other? Among other things, I hoped to solve the problem of writing in a way that’s readable for a wide audience, but still artful, intelligent, and enjoyable. When I say a…

What dyslexic & ESL readers teach us about writing — In this connected world, a surprising number of readers have reading difficulties. Knowing how to write for their needs can expand your audience. At the same time, it can help make your work more readable for normal readers. Three things to consider: Dyslexia: This reading disability affects 10% of all…

What psychology, evolution, and computers tell us about mending fences — A moment from school has remained with me for years. I’m seated near the auditorium stage, where visiting primatologist Frans de Waal stands beneath projected photos of chimpanzees in the wild. We see two furious male chimps who have just separated to avoid violence. …

A scientist and a monkey discuss the Infinite Monkey Theorem (humor) — This is a transcript of last week’s televised broadcast, “Phone-in Science News with Bob Meyers”. The US Now cable network assumes no responsibility for inaccuracies. BOB: My guests tonight are Dr. Joan Sheffield, a Nobel prize-winning professor of physics at MIT, and Bingo, a tufted capuchin monkey. Welcome, Bingo and…