New Books in Education Yellowlees Douglas, "Writing for the Reader's Brain: A Science-Based Guide" (Cambridge UP, 2024)
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Apr 16, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Yellowlees Douglas, a seasoned educator and founder of ReadersBrain Academy, delves into the science of writing effectively for readers. He reveals the five 'Cs' of writing—clarity, continuity, coherence, concision, and cadence—and how they enhance reader comprehension. Douglas critiques traditional readability methods, emphasizing the significance of active voice and varied sentence structure. He also advocates for clear communication techniques and mentorship in writing, highlighting that writing is a learnable skill that bridges science and art.
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Consulting for Supreme Court Case
- Yellowlees Douglas shared her experience with a law firm making Supreme Court arguments clearer using sentence structure.
- Using adverb clauses at sentence starts made sentences psychologically persuasive.
Readability Is More Than Length
- Readability formulas relying on sentence length and syllable count are inadequate.
- Sentence structure dramatically affects readability beyond word length or syllable count.
Avoid Sentence 'Dead Zones'
- Readers remember beginnings and ends of sentences much better than the middle dead zone.
- Important sentence content should be placed at stress positions, namely sentence starts and ends.
