Righter

A UX writing skill. Review existing UI copy against a defined set of principles, or write new copy from scratch applying those principles from the start.

Reference files — read these when relevant:

• references/components.md — per-component writing rules (Alert Dialog, Toast, Inline Alert, Helper Text, Alert Banner, Tooltip)
• references/weakeners.md — full word lists for all weakener categories
• references/phonaesthetics.md — full sound concepts and cluster table for word choice

Two Modes

Mode 1: Review Existing Copy

For each piece of content:

1. Check against the review checklist below
2. Identify every violation
3. Rewrite it
4. Output in the review format below

Mode 2: Write New Copy

1. Apply all relevant principles
2. For labels, CTAs, and microcopy: read references/phonaesthetics.md and apply sound guidance
3. Output in the new copy format below

Output Formats

Review format

Use this block for every piece of copy reviewed:

Before: [original copy] After: [rewritten copy]

Principles applied:

• [Principle name]: [one sentence on why this improved the copy]

Weakeners removed:

• "[word or phrase]" → removed because [category, e.g. hedging / filler adverb / weak verb]. If none found, write "None found."

Phonaesthetics:

• Note any sound improvements made (rhythm, stress pattern, sound cluster choices, ease of mouth). If phonaesthetics wasn't a factor (e.g. error messages), write "Not applicable for this copy type."

Reading metrics (Before → After):

• Word count: X → Y
• ARI score: X.X → Y.Y
• Grade level: Grade X (age X–X) → Grade X (age X–X)
• Target: ARI ≤ 6 (Grade 5, age 10–11)

New copy format

Copy: [final copy]

Principles applied:

• [Principle name]: [one sentence on why]

Weakeners avoided:

• Note any weakener patterns consciously avoided, or write "None present."

Phonaesthetics:

• Explain the sound choices made — rhythm, stress, clusters, ease of mouth. If not applicable, say so.

Reading metrics:

• Word count: X
• ARI score: X.X
• Grade level: Grade X (age X–X)
• Target: ARI ≤ 6 (Grade 5, age 10–11)

UX Writing Principles

Apply all of these when reviewing or writing.

1. Use active voice

Subject → verb → object. Active voice is shorter and easier to follow.

• ✗ "Rewards can be earned by clicking here."
• ✓ "Click here to start earning rewards."

2. Write at or below a fifth grade reading level

Short sentences. Simple words. Clear structure. Target ARI ≤ 6.

• ✗ "If you have forgotten your password, please click on the 'Forgot Password' link and submit your registered email address."
• ✓ "Click 'Forgot Password'. Enter your email. Check your inbox for a reset link."

3. Avoid jargon

Replace technical terms with plain language. Don't assume domain knowledge.

• ✗ "Authenticate your credentials."
• ✓ "Log in with your username and password."

4. Avoid complex sentence structures

One idea per sentence. Avoid dependent clauses stacked on independent clauses.

• ✗ "The fox, which was red, over the gate jumped."
• ✓ "The red fox jumped over the gate."

5. Avoid double negatives

Double negatives increase misreads and cognitive load.

• ✗ "Please don't fail to save your changes."
• ✓ "Please save your changes."

6. Use contractions

Contractions sound human. Formal constructions feel stiff.

• ✗ "Do not submit the form until all fields are complete."
• ✓ "Don't submit until all fields are complete."

7. Write in present tense

Describe what's happening now or what the user can do.

• ✗ "Your file was uploaded."
• ✓ "Your file is uploading."

8. Frame around the user's goals, not the system

Users care about what they're doing, not how the system works.

• ✗ "Due to an HTTPS network security issue, some features are not available."
• ✓ "This site may be insecure. Some features aren't available."

9. Avoid describing the interface

Don't reference UI elements like "tab," "panel," "menu," "page," or "section."

• ✗ "Go to the Settings panel."
• ✓ "Go to Settings."

10. Use consistent terminology

Pick one word for each concept and stick to it.

• ✗ Using "Sign Up," "Register," and "Create Account" interchangeably
• ✓ Always "Sign up"

11. Apply progressive disclosure

Lead with what the user needs now. Offer detail only when needed.

• ✗ "Your password must be at least 8 characters, contain a number, a symbol, and a capital letter."
• ✓ "Your password must be at least 8 characters." [+ optional detail link]

12. Don't apologize unnecessarily

Reserve "sorry" for serious errors. Hollow apologies undermine trust.

• ✗ "Whoops! We can't upload your picture. Try again."
• ✓ "We couldn't upload your picture. Try again."

13. Limit exclamation marks

Use words to convey energy, not punctuation. One per screen max, only for genuine celebration.

• ✓ "Your profile has been updated!" (success state)
• ✗ "Error! You can't submit the form! Please fix the errors!"

14. Check prepositions

Prepositions sit between two nouns. Never start or end a sentence with one.

• ✗ "Click on the Submit button."
• ✓ "Click Submit."

15. Eliminate weakeners

Remove all hedging words, softeners, empty intensifiers, filler adverbs, throat-clearing, passive-aggressive politeness, vague quantifiers, redundant framing, weak verb phrases, and meta-commentary.

Read references/weakeners.md for the full word lists and examples.

Key patterns to catch immediately:

• Hedging: maybe, probably, might be, appears to, seems like
• Filler: actually, basically, literally, just, simply
• Weak verbs: "make a decision" → decide, "conduct an analysis" → analyze
• Throat-clearing: "I think," "we believe," "it is important to note that"

Error Message Guidelines

Apply these on top of the general principles when reviewing or writing error messages.

Structure

Every error must answer:

1. What happened? (required)
2. Why? (only if it genuinely helps)
3. What should they do next? (required)

Voice and tone

• Instructive — describe the issue precisely, optimize for understanding
• Reassuring — no disparaging tone, no unnecessary humor
• Supportive — always provide a clear next step

Mechanics

• Sentence case: "This field is required." not "This Field Is Required."
• No ALL CAPS (except real acronyms)
• 1–2 sentences max

Don't blame the user

Describe the situation, not the mistake.

• ✗ "You didn't enter enough characters."
• ✓ "This field needs 8 characters."

Form field vs system errors

• Form field — what's wrong and how to fix it: "Enter a valid email address."
• System error — what happened and what to try next: "We couldn't connect. Check your internet or try again."

Other rules

• Preserve user input where possible — let users edit rather than start over
• Place errors adjacent to the element that triggered them (Law of Proximity)

Component decision tree

Use this before writing any error message to pick the right component. Then read references/components.md for full writing rules for that component.

Does it block progress and require immediate action?
  └─ Yes → Alert Dialog

Is it a system-level issue (outage, permissions, account)?
  └─ Yes → Alert Banner

Is it confirming something that just happened?
  └─ Yes → Toast

Is it attached to a specific form field?
  └─ Yes → Helper Text

Is it contextual to a page section, non-blocking?
  └─ Yes → Inline Alert

Is it a hover label for an icon or interactive element?
  └─ Yes → Tooltip

Phonaesthetics

When writing new copy — especially labels, CTAs, empty states, and microcopy — consider sound alongside meaning. Copy that sounds good is easier to remember and more pleasant to use.

Read references/phonaesthetics.md for the full concept guide and sound cluster table.

Core rules to apply immediately:

• Prefer consonant-vowel alternation (CVCV) for labels — natural rhythm, easy to say
• Two-beat phrases are catchy; three-beat phrases are melodic; irregular stress is awkward
• Liquids and nasals (l, m, n, r, w, y) → calm, gentle contexts
• Plosives (p, b, t, d, k, g) → energetic, action-oriented CTAs
• Avoid tongue twisters — if it's hard to say, it's hard to remember

Sound clusters to reach for:

• gl- → clarity, light (insight, vision, illumination features)
• fl- → flow, ease (smooth UX, motion)
• sp- → speed, energy (action, innovation)
• cl- → precision, closure (tools, interactions)

Reading Metrics

Calculate and show these for all reviewed and written copy.

ARI Formula

ARI = 4.71 × (characters ÷ words) + 0.5 × (words ÷ sentences) − 21.43

• Characters = letters and numbers only (no spaces or punctuation)
• Words = space-separated tokens
• Sentences = units ending in . ? or !

Round to one decimal place. Always include grade and age range.

Grade Level Table

Target: ARI ≤ 6 (Grade 5, age 10–11)

Review Checklist

Run through this for every piece of copy before finalizing.

Voice and structure

• Passive voice present?
• Complex sentence structure?
• Double negatives?
• Past or future tense where present tense works?
• Missing contractions (do not → don't)?

Clarity

• Jargon or technical terms?
• Reading level above Grade 5?
• Interface elements named (tab, panel, section)?
• System-framing instead of user-goal framing?
• Too much information up front (no progressive disclosure)?

Tone

• Unnecessary apology?
• Overuse of exclamation marks?
• Any weakener words? (see references/weakeners.md)

Mechanics

• Inconsistent terminology?
• Preposition starting or ending a sentence?

Errors (if applicable)

• Clear next step provided?
• Does it blame the user?
• Right component chosen? (use decision tree above)