Good English Skills??

Question

I'm writing a literature review and I can't think of a good way of saying 'easy reading'. Any budding authors out there who want to give me some tips, it'll be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Thanks for those

Ds climb, your cheeks fine, but your being presumptious. I never said i was writing a review for any publication. but thanks anway

Answer 1

I would probably tend to use "straightforward"
"these facts brought in a straightforward manner for ease of..."

after that..."effortless" always seems to work wonderfully...
"an effortless approach to...."

You're going to make me think now...I'm going to have to take out a couple of books myself :)

Answer 2

What's wrong with 'easy reading'?

My husband was a university graduate, but, being of a scientific bent, he hadn't read a work of fiction after leaving school. I introduced him to Ian Fleming and Alastair McLean, which got him started. He now reads extensively and even preaches to me. Reading, in any language is of paramount importance.

'Easy reading' can be used for books which have a limited vocabulary, but it can also mean that the subject matter is not too complicated. Either way, there is no slur on the reader.

Aim: encourage people to read. Once this goal has been achieved, the world is their oyster. And what a wonderful world it is!

Answer 3

I tend to think of the Janet and John books in relation to 'easy reading'. I think that light reading, holiday reading or 'a good beach read' describes the sort of book that doesn't stretch the brain too much. Having said that, some of the classics are, perhaps surprisingly, pretty reader friendly. One great writer who can make you howl with laughter in some of his books is Aldous Huxley. I'm trying to read 'Eyeless in Gaza' at the moment, which is extremely difficult and I haven't had any laughs yet!

Answer 4

readability - made up word though.

smooth, flowing, flows without the need for pause.

trips off the tongue.

The sentences just flow smoothly and steadily, like a slow meandering river, as you read the pages.

If this book was a drink it would be a luxurious hot chocolate, smooth and creamy. All the taste and flavour, but none of the harshness of coffee.

It all depends on who you are writing for. Mountain mags or general public literature.

Excuse my cheek, but you review literature and you are on here asking for help. It does not give the review much credit really does it?

I know you are more into TV, media and mountaineering same as myself. So i would use a different name on here.

EXTRA - Good point about it not being for a magazine, must be me adding 2 and 2, then get much more, or the fact I was just thumbing through the BMC summit mag prior to answering!!

Answer 5

good for light reading or casual reading. Depending on what you're doing a review for you may just want to say "Its an easy read." in reviews, formality isn't always necessary.

Answer 6

How about "light reading"? To me, some books are easy to just pick up & dive right in. You can also stop at any point & easily keep up with the story. I consider these light reading.

Answer 7

If you are trying for "easy reading" in the sense that something is simply written, so it can be directly understood, why not say that directly: "The book is written so simply and clearly that anyone can understand it."

On the other hand, if you mean that the book reads easily because the writing is graceful, why not use something like "The book is smoothly written"?

Answer 8

Fluent, unobtrusive, eloquent, crystal clear, plain and simple, uncomplicated, simple yet classic, effortless ease, etc. - Quote, Sir Earnest Hemingway's style of writing, as one of the most "distinct and classic" examples of simple, yet highly effective, neatly constructed language, that simply flows by, effortlessly and easily, without any obstruction, constriction, restriction or glitch.

Answer 9

Hi,
Passion is the root of meaningful existence. You can't have a good life without living passionately and reading passionately.

easy reading is passionate reading.
Thanks

Answer 10

you could something makes for 'light reading', is 'simply written' or is the 'perfect accompaniment for a lazy Sunday afternoon' :)