Return-Path: <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from literacy (localhost [127.0.0.1]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with SMTP id i9LEBta28417; Thu, 21 Oct 2004 10:11:55 -0400 (EDT) Date: Thu, 21 Oct 2004 10:11:55 -0400 (EDT) Message-Id: <HFEOKEOKAENPEEILPJCFKEFFEGAA.jkeenan@erols.com> Errors-To: listowner@literacy.nifl.gov Reply-To: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Originator: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Sender: nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov Precedence: bulk From: "jann keenan" <jkeenan@erols.com> To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-health@literacy.nifl.gov> Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:4570] Re: Reading formulas and reading ease X-Listprocessor-Version: 6.0c -- ListProcessor by Anastasios Kotsikonas X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook IMO, Build 9.0.2416 (9.0.2910.0) Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; Status: O Content-Length: 1860 Lines: 68 Hello Laurie-- While lots of folks like to use the Flesch-Kincaid, I have found that the hand-tabulated FRY READABILITY FORMULA is far more accurate. The F-K does not account for headers and bulleted lists, among other factors. There have been lively discussions on readability formulas on this list serve. Folks interested in what works and why can go to NIFL archives. Audrey Riffenburgh, my colleague from the Clear Language Group consortium addressed this topic beautifully. Another caution I offer about using readability formulas solely to assess if a document is indeed readable is that they tend to take our attention away from the other vital HL components--culture, illustrations, layout, typeface, interactive writing . . . All best and happy writing, Jann Jann Keenan, Ed.S. President, The Keenan Group, Inc. Experts in Health Literacy 9862 Century Drive Ellicott City, MD 20142 410-480-9716 Founding member, Clear Language Group www.clearlanguagegroup.com -----Original Message----- From: nifl-health@nifl.gov [mailto:nifl-health@nifl.gov]On Behalf Of Laurie Anson Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 7:17 PM To: Multiple recipients of list Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:4568] Re: Seeking recommendations for literacy level software Hello! I am an adult literacy tutor (and critical care nurse) who frequently "translates" material for my student, including health information. One of the easiest tools you can use for assessing the readability level of a text document is to transfer the document into a word processor and run the spell/grammar check. At the bottom of the resulting table (once corrections have been made) is a Kincaid readability scale for the document in question. This usually works quite well for me. At that point, adjustments can be made and the readability level rechecked as needed. Good luck, Laurie Anson
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