A recently developed readability formula which requires little time and few mathematical computations is explained. (Editor)

Outlines the current uses of readability measures in education, business, and government. (SRT)

Argues that readability formulas accurately predict how easily a passage will be understood by considering sentence length and word difficulty. Claims that the misuse of readability formulas as writing guides is responsible for much of the criticism. Challenges the critics to come up with something better. (RS)