Accessible information is concise

This is part of a series Ten points to accessible information.

Accessible information is straightforward and direct, getting to the points quickly and simply. It avoids unnecessary words or jargon. It shares many features of plain English, including short uncomplicated sentences, and language familiar to users.

Concise information is easy to follow, expressing all the information that the user is looking for in a few words. It should, for example, enable users of web sites to complete their tasks quickly and easily.

Accessible information is brief but comprehensive.

This may not always be as easy in practice as it looks.  You can think about the information you want to convey as a pyramid, with the sharp point at the top being the most important. The most important piece of information is expressed as a short sentence in the first paragraph. The wide base of the pyramid represents the least important information as it might not be read.

Of course knowing your audience, being user focused, and knowing what is relevant will help you understand what your user is looking for.

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Filed under Disability Issues, Disability Rights, Information Accessibility, Web Accessibility

One Response to Accessible information is concise

  1. Pingback: Low Visionary: accessible information, disability rights, web accessibility » Blog Archive » Ten points to accessible information

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