How does one know if they are writing at a level in which their audience can understand? What is the ideal level writers should strive to "write to?" How can you increase the likelihood that coworkers and clients will read what you write?
50% of U.S. adults read below an eighth-grade level.
Most high school graduates read below 12th grade level.
Knowing these facts helps writers more effectively communicate with their audience. Just because a reader CAN read at a higher level doesn't always mean they should. As business consultant, Perry Marshall states:
"Don’t make people think. Except when you really want them to think."
Writers shouldn't make readers waste time dissecting sentences or wondering what an author's word-selection means. Brain power should be used to focus on the message.
So, how do you figure out what level your writing is on?
Many word processing applications offer two tools which can be used to gauge appropriate reading level of materials. These tools can also be found online. These readability tools are called the Flesch Reading Ease and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level indicators. Both values indicate the text's readability, or how easy it is for someone to read it. Both values are based on the average number of syllables per word/average number of words per sentence.
The average Flesch Reading Ease value indicates how easy it is for a reader to understand the text. The value ranges between 60 and 70 on a 100-point scale. The higher the score, the easier it is for readers to understand documents.
The Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level's score indicates a grade level. If text receives a value of 7.5, this indicates the text is written at a level at which a 7th grader in his or her fifth month of school can comprehend. The average range is between 7.0 and 8.0. Some examples of text run through this calculation using Microsoft Word's calculator are shown below:
So, the next time you write content, consider your audience. A student's grade level, high school diploma, or college degree do not always indicate a student's true reading level. The purpose of text is to convey a message. The more informed one is about the true reading level of their audience, the more effective they can be in crafting that message in a way in which their audience can most effectively comprehend.
And because I know inquiring minds want to know, this blog falls right within the range of "average."
Sources:
https://contently.com/strategist/2015/01/28/this-surprising-reading-level-analysis-will-change-the-way-you-write/
http://literacyprojectfoundation.org/community/statistics/
http://www.clearlanguagegroup.com/readability/
http://www.officetooltips.com/word/tips/viewing_document_and_readability_statistics.html
https://www.perrymarshall.com/16572/reading-level/
https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/news/2017/04/04/isps-can-now-collect-and-sell-your-data-what-know-internet-privacy/100015356/
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