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How We Chose the

Textsfor This Lesson…

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Examples of Readability Formulas Fry’s Flesh-Kincaid

But also consider…

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Book and Print Features

•Length

•Print

•Layout

•Illustrations

•Graphic Features

•Organizational AidsSentence Complexity

•Length

•Embedded Clauses

•Punctuation

Text Structure

•Fiction: narrative; literary devices such as flashbacks.

•Nonfiction: compare/contrast; cause/effect; description; temporal sequence; problem/ solution.

Vocabulary

•Multi-syllabic words

•Choice of words related to content

Content

•Topics

•Organization

•Special Graphic Features

Themes and Ideas

•Interest

•Sophistication

•Maturity

Language and Literacy Features

•Literary Language

•Figurative Language

•Dialogue

Text Difficulty

Taken from Guiding Readers and Writers

Fountas and Pinnell, Figure 14-2, pg. 227

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Pros and Cons of Readability Formulas Objective Easy to use (some!) Larger range of levels

(usually Grade 1-12) Widely-tested and

accepted Easy to understand

Doesn’t take into account text support factors

Doesn’t account for motivation

Are only estimates! Doesn’t include small

gradations at the lower level

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What do I use?

Use what information you have, but consider the limitations

Using a combination (readability and text features) is best

Your knowledge of your students is your best guide!