Are sentences and paragraphs short, simple, direct, and written in the active voice?
Effective sentences and paragraphs are short, simple, and direct. Use the
active voice (e.g., "you eat...you need") rather than passive voice (e.g.,
"has been shown...is known as being a factor"). When possible, write the
materials originally in Spanish. This avoids an "English-like" awkward
style. If you are adapting material from English, be sure to rewrite it in
Spanish, not just translate directly.
Avoid materials where the sentences and paragraphs are long, and contain
complex wording. Language can be ineffective if the active voice is used
less than 50% of the time. Again, avoid--or else rewrite--materials that
have been translated directly and awkwardly from English.
Is the vocabulary level appropriate for your Hispanic audience?
Ensure that technical jargon is avoided or explained if used. Try to avoid
using more than two technical terms per page. However, it may be important
to include technical words in your material in order to supply the reader
with terminology they will confront. For example, if you are urging the
reader to go get a mammogram, then it is important to present and explain
the word so that they understand the term when they get to the clinic or
doctor's office. But in these cases, be sure to explain the terms and use
examples.
Materials become unreadable when excessive technical jargon is used
(average of four or more technical terms per page), no definitions are
provided, or many polysyllabic words are used.
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