Hi Jennifer,
I have published a few articles on the assessment and modification of written text to improve readability. Here are some resources you may find helpful.
Use simple words and phrases | plainlanguage.govOnline Utility Readability Calculator
How to "clean" your text sample before assessing readability:
- Remove bullets and paragraph breaks.
- Add a period to the end of every sentence.
- Remove hyphens and dashes (example: change client-centered to client centered).
- Convert numbers to written form (example: change 2.5% to two point five percent).
Also, research has shown to reach the largest audience text should be written at the 6th grade level (Kutner et al., 2006). This is especially important for older adults, individuals with low vision, and those who speak English as a second language.
I hope this is helpful.
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Jennifer Fortuna, PhD, OTR/L
Assistant Professor
Occupational Science and Therapy Department
Grand Valley State University
fortunje@gvsu.edu------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 06-16-2021 06:12 PM
From: Jennifer Matotek
Subject: Reading level - paid services?
Hi folks! My art gallery is committed to a sharing our written material at a grade 8 reading level (max 10) going forward. We've been using a free fleischer kincaid tool that's online (and occasionally, the personal grammarly accounts of my staff) to test our writing. Anyone using a paid service that they would recommend?
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Jennifer Matotek
Executive Director
Art Gallery of Windsor
Windsor ON
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