How do I install the Readable Content skill?

Run npx skillmds@latest add owl-listener/readable-content in your terminal (requires Node.js), paste this page's agent-chat prompt into Claude, Cursor, or any MCP-connected agent, or download the SKILL.md file and copy it into your agent's skills directory.

Is Readable Content safe to use?

This skill has not completed SkillMD's automated safety review yet. SkillMD never runs a skill's scripts for you; review the SKILL.md before installing.

Which AI agents work with Readable Content?

This skill is tagged as working with Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex. SKILL.md is an open format, so most agents that read a skills directory can load it too.

Is Readable Content free to use?

Yes. Installing skills from SkillMD is free, and the skill stays under its author's original license.

Who published Readable Content?

Owl Listener (@owl-listener) published this skill. Their other Agent Skills are listed on their SkillMD profile.

Readable Content by owl-listener — Agent Skill

Name: Readable Content
Author: Owl Listener

Readable Content

Write and structure content for diverse reading abilities and cognitive styles. Use when writing long-form content, help documentation, product descriptions, policies, terms, or any content that needs to be understood by a wide audience. Triggers on: readability, reading level, too long, too dense, wall of text, hard to read, simplify content, content accessibility, scannable, skimmable.

Owl Listener 221270e 3.5 KB Updated Sep 17, 2026 1.7k repo stars

File contents

Readable Content Design

Structure and write content so that people with different reading abilities, attention spans, and cognitive styles can find what they need and understand it.

Core Principle

People don't read — they scan. Design your content for the scan first, the read second.

Content Structure

Inverted Pyramid

Put the most important information first. Assume the reader might stop at any point.

Paragraph 1: the key message or answer
Paragraph 2: the essential supporting detail
Paragraph 3+: background, context, nuance

Chunking

One topic per section
One idea per paragraph
Maximum 3–4 sentences per paragraph
Maximum 5–7 paragraphs per section before a new heading
Break walls of text with headings every 2–3 paragraphs

Scannable Elements

Descriptive headings that summarise the section content
Bold key terms (sparingly — if everything is bold, nothing is)
Bulleted lists for 3+ related items (maximum 7 items per list)
Tables for comparative information
Pull-out boxes or callouts for critical information

Writing for Readability

Sentence Level

Aim for 15–20 words per sentence
One idea per sentence
Active voice: "We'll send your order" not "Your order will be sent"
Concrete language: "in 3 working days" not "shortly"
Address the reader directly: "You can..." not "Users may..."

Word Level

Use the simplest word that carries the meaning
Define specialist terms on first use
Spell out acronyms on first use: "Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)"
Avoid idioms, metaphors, and culturally specific references
Avoid double negatives: "You can continue" not "You cannot not proceed"

Paragraph Level

First sentence carries the key point (front-loading)
Supporting sentences elaborate or provide evidence
No paragraph should require reading the previous one to make sense
Transition words help flow: "However," "For example," "This means"

Content Types With Specific Needs

Instructions and How-To

Numbered steps for sequential tasks
One action per step
Start each step with a verb: "Click", "Enter", "Select"
Include what the user should see after each step

Policies, Terms, and Legal Content

Plain language summary at the top
Full text below for those who need it
Define all legal terms in context
Use examples to illustrate abstract concepts

Error and Warning Content

What happened (specific)
What it means for the user
What to do next (single clear action)
Grade 4–6 reading level always

Data and Numbers

Round numbers where precision isn't needed (about 2 million, not 1,987,453)
Provide context: "40% — nearly half"
Use charts with text summaries for complex data
Don't assume numeracy — explain what the numbers mean

Assessment Questions

Is the most important information first?
Can someone scanning only headings and bold text get the key message?
Are sentences under 20 words on average?
Is every paragraph under 4 sentences?
Would someone with a grade 8 reading level understand this?

---name: readable-contentdescription: Write and structure content for diverse reading abilities and cognitive styles. Use when writing long-form content, help documentation, product descriptions, policies, terms, or any content that needs to be understood by a wide audience. Triggers on: readability, reading level, too long, too dense, wall of text, hard to read, simplify content, content accessibility, scannable, skimmable.---# Readable Content DesignStructure and write content so that people with different readingabilities, attention spans, and cognitive styles can find what theyneed and understand it.## Core PrinciplePeople don't read — they scan. Design your content for the scan first,the read second.## Content Structure### Inverted PyramidPut the most important information first. Assume the reader mightstop at any point.- Paragraph 1: the key message or answer- Paragraph 2: the essential supporting detail- Paragraph 3+: background, context, nuance### Chunking- One topic per section- One idea per paragraph- Maximum 3–4 sentences per paragraph- Maximum 5–7 paragraphs per section before a new heading- Break walls of text with headings every 2–3 paragraphs### Scannable Elements- Descriptive headings that summarise the section content- Bold key terms (sparingly — if everything is bold, nothing is)- Bulleted lists for 3+ related items (maximum 7 items per list)- Tables for comparative information- Pull-out boxes or callouts for critical information## Writing for Readability### Sentence Level- Aim for 15–20 words per sentence- One idea per sentence- Active voice: "We'll send your order" not "Your order will be sent"- Concrete language: "in 3 working days" not "shortly"- Address the reader directly: "You can..." not "Users may..."### Word Level- Use the simplest word that carries the meaning- Define specialist terms on first use- Spell out acronyms on first use: "Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)"- Avoid idioms, metaphors, and culturally specific references- Avoid double negatives: "You can continue" not "You cannot not proceed"### Paragraph Level- First sentence carries the key point (front-loading)- Supporting sentences elaborate or provide evidence- No paragraph should require reading the previous one to make sense- Transition words help flow: "However," "For example," "This means"## Content Types With Specific Needs### Instructions and How-To- Numbered steps for sequential tasks- One action per step- Start each step with a verb: "Click", "Enter", "Select"- Include what the user should see after each step### Policies, Terms, and Legal Content- Plain language summary at the top- Full text below for those who need it- Define all legal terms in context- Use examples to illustrate abstract concepts### Error and Warning Content- What happened (specific)- What it means for the user- What to do next (single clear action)- Grade 4–6 reading level always### Data and Numbers- Round numbers where precision isn't needed (about 2 million, not 1,987,453)- Provide context: "40% — nearly half"- Use charts with text summaries for complex data- Don't assume numeracy — explain what the numbers mean## Assessment Questions1. Is the most important information first?2. Can someone scanning only headings and bold text get the key message?3. Are sentences under 20 words on average?4. Is every paragraph under 4 sentences?5. Would someone with a grade 8 reading level understand this?

Frequently asked questions