READABILITY
-Documents
-Assessments
-Internet web pages
The readability checker in Microsoft Word uses the Flesch-Kincaid Readability Index:
The Flesch Kincaid Readability Index
i)
Click File, then Options
Click on
Options
ii)
Click on
Proofing
iii)
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Tick here ‘show
readability
statistics’
iv) Click OK
v) Go Review, Spelling and Grammar
vi) Run the Spellcheck
Aim for between
15-20
words/sentence
Doer is
removed –
higher %
makes texts
more difficult
Grade NOT age
level –
information texts
should be at or
below reading
level
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Closer to
100 easier
the text
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d Document will run spell check
Aim for between 1520 words/sentence
Doer is removed –
higher % makes
texts more difficult
Closer to
100 easier
the text
USA Grade NOT age level –
information texts should be
at or below reading level
TOP TIP: If your documents reading level is aimed too
high, lower the reading level by using use bullet points
and start sentances with verbs.
REFINING GOOGLE SEARCHES BY READABILITY

Type the topic in the search bar

Scroll down to Advanced Search

Scroll down to Reading Level

Click on drop down arrow to Show Only Basic results

Click on Advanced Search

Basic results will appear
If the text contains a great deal of new and unfamiliar vocabulary and concepts, then it is better to
choose easier texts.
http://www.online-utility.org/english/readability_test_and_improve.jsp - this website will isolate
sentences that are particulary problematic from a a difficulty point of view. You can then record
them if you decide you want to use that particulary text
Simple English Wikipedia – www.simple.wikipedia.org
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AN EXAMPLE
Earthquakes - Wikipedia
An earthquake (also known as a quake, tremor or temblor) is the result of a sudden release of
energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of
an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time.
Earthquakes are measured using observations from seismometers. The moment magnitude is the
most common scale on which earthquakes larger than approximately 5 are reported for the entire
globe. The more numerous earthquakes smaller than magnitude 5 reported by national seismological
observatories are measured mostly on the local magnitude scale, also referred to as the Richter
scale. These two scales are numerically similar over their range of validity. Magnitude 3 or lower
earthquakes are mostly almost imperceptible or weak and magnitude 7 and over potentially cause
serious damage over larger areas, depending on their depth. The largest earthquakes in historic
times have been of magnitude slightly over 9, although there is no limit to the possible magnitude.
The most recent large earthquake of magnitude 9.0 or larger was a 9.0 magnitude earthquake in
Japan in 2011 (as of October 2012), and it was the largest Japanese earthquake since records began.
Intensity of shaking is measured on the modified Mercalli scale. The shallower an earthquake, the
more damage to structures it causes, all else being equal.[1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthquake
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Earthquakes – Simple English Wikipedia
An earthquake (also known as a quake, or tremor) is a violent movement of the rocks in the Earth's
crust. Earthquakes are usually quite brief, but may repeat over a long period of time. They are the
result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust. This creates seismic waves, waves of energy
that travel through the Earth.
There are large earthquakes and small earthquakes. Big earthquakes can take down buildings and
cause death and injury. The study of earthquakes is called seismology.[1] Seismology studies the
frequency, type and size of earthquakes over a period of time.
When the earth moves offshore in the ocean, it can cause a tsunami. A tsunami can cause just as
much death and destruction as an earthquake. Landslides can happen, too. This is an important part
of the Earth's cycle.
Earthquakes are measured using observations from seismometers. The magnitude of an earthquake,
and the intensity of shaking, is measured on a numerical scale. On the scale, 3 or less is scarcely
noticeable, and magnitude 7 (or more) causes damage over a wide area.
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