Much has been written about the importance of "writing with discipline" in order to increase the readability and, hence, the publishability of manuscripts submitted to journals for consideration for publication. More specifically, empirical evidence has been provided that links American Psychological Association (APA) errors, citation…

To make it easier to use the Spache Readability Formula, this document provides tables that simplify the necessary calculations; it also includes instructions for the use of the tables. (TJ)

After discussing the ease of using the Fry Readability Graph, the author applies it to biology, chemistry, and physics texts, and lists the results. He warns that textbook authors and classroom teachers should be aware of the potential impact that the reading level of a text can have on students. (KC)

Assesses readability levels of selected elementary level microcomputer courseware by using the readability formulas of Dale-Chall and Spache; describes these established formulas; compares assessments with publishers' statements of courseware suitability; and compares results of the manually calculated Dale-Chall and Spache formulas with results…

Describes the PMOSE/IKIRSCH document readability formula, which provides a measure of document complexity (looking at structure and density) of a wide array of different document types (including lists, schedules, tables, graphs, charts, indexes, time lines, maps, calendars, and forms). Discusses implications of the formula in terms of document…

Twenty short versions of articles from Engineering Synopses and the corresponding original articles were compared for ease of reading. The synopses were found to be significantly more difficult to read. (Author/MBR)

Describes a study that examined the readability of papers "College and Research Libraries" accepted, rejected, and published for 1990 and 1991. Results showing a statistically significant difference for the text of papers but not for abstracts are reported, and topics for further research are suggested. (Contains six references.) (EAM)

To aid secondary school and college level economics teachers as they select textbooks for introductory economics courses, this article recounts how teachers can use the Flesch Reading Ease Test to measure readability. Data are presented on application of the Flesch Reading Ease Test to 15 introductory economics textbooks. (Author/DB)

In a study of commercially published textbooks it was found that the reading level, determined by readability formulas, is decreasing in elementary textbooks. Although this is beneficial to elementary students, the author cautions that the lowering of the reading level does not necessarily make a text easier to understand. (JR)

Readability formulas are designed to provide quantitative estimates of the relative difficulty of pieces of writing. This study explored the extent to which an increase in the accuracy of a specific readability formula could be obtained by norming it for a restricted set of reading materials and subjects. (Editor)

This paper presents guidelines for improving instructional text under three main headings: prose and grammatical features; tables and graphs; and typographical design. The paper has been printed in such a way as to illustrate the points made. (Author)

Discusses study to determine readability levels of materials for the social studies classroom which examine contemporary problems. The Dale-Chall and the Fry readability formulae were used. Reading levels of newspapers, government publications, magazines, and publications of special interest groups are provided in chart form. (KC)

Results of stepwise regression analyses of text characteristics on learning scores revealed that the same characteristics which predict comprehension also predict new learning. (Author/MB)

The mean of the librarian estimates closely approximated the formula results, seldom differing by even as much as one grade level." Sample questionnaire and statistical tables are included. (Author/SP)

Discusses nonfiction series for young adults; presents results of a survey of librarians who evaluated various series; presents criteria for evaluating nonfiction series, including readability, organization, format, timeliness, and length; and considers characteristics of the top 10 series, including marketing and audience. (LRW)