Nielsen Norman Group instructor Katie Sherwin compiled the most common UX writing questions from practitioners attending NN/G's Writing Compelling Digital Copy course. The sharpest finding up front: write for a 6th to 8th grade reading level for general audiences. NN/G's own eyetracking research shows users read only 20 to 28% of text on a page. Lower reading levels reduce cognitive load for everyone, not just low-literacy users.
The questions practitioners are asking are getting more specific, not less. Sherwin notes a clear shift: attendees are growing skeptical of AI-generated answers and are pushing for nuanced, experience-backed guidance. The FAQ covers plain language, readability standards, and how to structure copy that supports the broader UX. These are not beginner questions.
The full article is worth reading for the grouped question format alone. Seeing what real practitioners are stuck on is more useful than another list of best practices. If you work in UX, product, or content strategy, the specific thresholds and sourced NN/G data make this a reference document, not a think piece.
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