Alfredo Deambrosi

By running the Flesh-Kincaid Readability Test, Microsoft Word allows users to identify how readable their writing is. Apparently, the Flesh-Kincaid Reading Grade Level uses a formula that is based on the average number of syllables in each word and the average length of the sentences.

When I learned about this feature, my first thought was that this tool provides us with a quick and convenient way to make sure that our writing is not overly complex. My second thought was that the tool must have limitations. The only way such a test can measure how difficult certain words are is to count its number of syllables. Certainly, some words can have fewer syllables but be less familiar. For example, “disadvantage” has more syllables than “detriment” but is probably familiar to more readers.

I decided, however, to run my first four blog posts through the test to see how it ranks them. My two posts that were clearly more technical in nature reflected a higher grade level.

• Talking About Books – 7.9 grade level
• Using a Birthday Reminder Service – 10.5 grade level
• “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” – A Prayer for Lasting Deliverance – 10.6 grade level
• Knowing My Students 9.1 – grade level

I am convinced that writers still need to revise their work through careful readings. As they proofread, they should check for word choice, clarity, emphasis, and coherence among other things. There may be limitations to the test besides the one that I mentioned earlier, but I’m glad that I have some evidence that my posts may be readable.