To get that feature, you can buy the desktop version of the app, which goes for $19.99 and works for both Mac and PC. The only drawback is that it will not save your work. I've copied and pasted up to 75,000 words of text into the editor and it analyzed it in seconds. The app can handle a tremendous amount of script, too. But chances are, you will perform many edits based upon the Hemingway App's suggestions. Whether to take the app's advice is completely up to the writer. It will suggest simpler alternatives for the words and phrases highlighted in purple, but that is the most direct way in which the app will intervene. You still have to do the work, which is how it should be. It's not quite perfect, but it catches at least 95% of these typical problems in writing. Other times, the app highlights words that end in "ly" that are not adjectives. For example, the app is not telling you to cut all adverbs, but it will suggest that you bring your count of adverbs down below a certain number relative to the length of your writing. These areas are highlighted in your text, and the color-coded boxes on the right display statistics with suggestions inside. The app can discover adverbs, use of passive voice, phrases or words with simpler alternatives, hard to read sentences, and very hard to read sentences. These are five important areas to focus on when reviewing and editing. A legend of five colors appears, corresponding to the highlighted portions of your writing. If you do not find these stats useful, everything but the word count can be hidden from view.īelow the stats area is the bread and butter of the Hemingway App. This gives you facts about your writing that you may or may not find useful. The app only gives you a warning when your writing is at the 12th grade level, which should be reserved for academic papers.īelow the readability analysis, a drop-down box of basic stats appears. If more people can understand your writing, then more people will read your writing. For example, why say "I am attracted to you in such a manner that is virtually unidentifiable in description other than to say that I feel this way toward no other human being on this or any other planet in the universe, past or present," when you can say "I love you"? Keep it simple. Just because you are writing at a simpler level to read does not mean that your message has to be simplified. Why is this important? Why not try to make your writing be at a 12th grade level? The answer lies in your audience. Ernest Hemingway's own writing and books have been analyzed, and the consensus is that his most popular works are at a 4th to 6th grade reading level. Contrary to what you might think, the lower the grade level, the better. This is based upon sentence structure and level of vocabulary used.
The first thing you see is the "readability" of your writing, measured in grade level.
This area of the screen displays the value of the app. With editing mode engaged, your text becomes colorful, and a stats bar appears on the right side. This will engage the real power of the Hemingway App. Once you finish writing, no matter where you do it, it is time to click on the "edit" button in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. You can reinsert all the fancy stuff after you pass through this process. The editing process is about the words, not the frills. Once you do, though, your text will revert to Hemingway's font and size. If you want more extensive for your writing process, you are welcome to copy and paste the text from any other file. No extensive font choices, no limitless point sizes, no colors. The simplest options are the only ones available, though. Simple formatting tools line up across the top of the screen, and the composition area is in the center. Once you do, the app gives you a simple distraction-free place to compose. You can turn off all its editing tools by clicking on "write" in the upper right-hand corner. At its core, the Hemingway App is a simple word processor.