This study, in the form of a research review, is designed to aid adult educators as they work in curriculum development and materials selection activities. Its purpose is to provide a guide for evaluation by providing recommended guidelines for the analysis of learning material, a suggested instrument for evaluation, and how to use the instrument. The major contents are grouped under six headings: (1) Background and Scope of the Study, (2) Significant Findings from Major Literacy Studies and Programs, (3) Readability, which emphasizes the physical characteristics of adult education materials, (4) Content Analysis, (5) Expressed Needs of Readers and Their Selections, and (6) Implications for Adult Educators. The appendixes cover half the document and include a complete description of the suggested evaluation instrument: Material Analysis Criteria (MAC) Checklist; an example of evaluation of materials using the MAC Checklist; and selected data from the Lyman study. (WL)