The consent document should be written at a level easily understood by your target population.The Flesch-Kincaid readability score of the form should be more than 50 (the higher the score, the easier your document is to read). Studies targeting the general public should have a consent form written at or below an 8th grade reading level.
In order to increase the readability of your consent forms, we recommend using the resources provided in the Consent and Assent Guidance and Templates.
Consent forms should be written directly to the reader, as though you are explaining the facts in person. Consent language should be written in the second person (“you”), not in the first person (“I”).
Consent forms should avoid the passive voice whenever possible in favor of active voice. Example of passive voice: “A summary of results will be sent to all study participants.” Example of active voice: “We will send you a summary of the results.”