Years ago we used to have a fairly simple way of determining the readability of what you had written. It was called the Fog Test and we had a formula based on the length and number of words in a sentence, the average sentence length and the number of technical words, trade terms, jargon and big words (i.e. those of three or more syllables).
We then massaged those figures to come up with the Fog Index which is the number of years schooling your reader must have had in order to understand your message! For example, if your calculation comes in around 22, like so many articles do, it means that your reader needs about 22 years of education to understand it. That means 6 years primary plus 6 years secondary plus 3 degree courses at 4 years each… and there aren’t a lot of those readers around!
Looking at what newspapers do gives you a guide to where you should aim. Tabloid newspapers (such as Herald Sun) fog at about 8, the more serious broadsheet press (Sydney Morning Herald or The Australian) fog at about 10. They are written that way because that’s what the people who buy them can read and understand.)
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Ideally, you writing should come in at around 8 to 10 if you want it to be understood by your reader.
The easy way
Now Microsoft Word will do it all for you and tell you how you’re doing. Switch on Readability Statistics and in Word go to Review/Spelling & Grammar and look for the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level.
If what you have written scores too high you should try:
- Taking out the big words (3 syllables or more) and replacing them with simpler, smaller words.
- Making sentences as short as possible.
- Replacing jargon with simple, non-technical words and phrases
Remember, when it comes to comprehension, less is better.
A great tip: Get a14-16 year old to read what you have written. If they understand it, you’re good to go!
(By the way this article came in at 8.2 which means most people who have reached year 8 schooling can understand it!)
Thanks Winston. This article is veryhelpful. I have now set up the Readability Statistics in Word and will be sure to use it every time.
People will love what you write and how you say it… it’ll be just like you’re talking to them. Well done Kevin!