A study of the readability of governmental pamphlets produced by the State of Florida, based on the use of the Flesch Reading Ease Formula and the Dale-Chall Formula, suggests that if a seventh or eighth grade readability level is considered an appropriate standard for public information brochures, the brochures tested may be too complex…

Studies leads and other top paragraphs in stories from the Associated Press (AP), United Press International (UPI), Scripps Howard News Service, and three major newspapers. Finds average lead sentence lengths range from 39 to 25 words. Suggests that journalists may be writing for themselves more than for readers. (RS)

Examines the relationship between advertising copy readability and advertising effectiveness. Finds that recall is improved when the copy style is either fairly easy or fairly hard to read. Suggests the value of considering copy readability as a potential contributor, though a minor one, to the success of magazine advertising. (RS)

Reports that the traditional ways of handling datelines, figures, political designations, and second references hinder reader understanding of newspaper stories. (FL)

Compares passages from two weekly newsmagazines and finds differences in readability according to type of content, but not along lines of the delayed reward/immediate reward typology. (FL)

Finds that 204 high school students preferred newspapers that used accompanying materials, such as pullout quotes and many, although smaller, photographs. Notes that writing style and the use of color had little influence. (RS)

Concludes that nominal writing style, substituting nouns for verbs, adversely affects reader interest and reading speed. (FL)

Summarizes research dealing with (1) the handling of controversial newspapers columns, (2) media exposure and attitude consistency about immigration, (3) alcohol advertising and magazine editorial content, (4) headline readability, (5) crime news in Black weeklies, (6) city magazine problems, (7) coverage of Vietnam veterans, and (8) researchers'…

Tests the effects of number of data points and type of statistical display on time spent answering questions about information. Finds that tables and graphs are more efficiently processed than text presentation of the same data. Suggests that the time variable is a more realistic measure than information recall of cognitive processing effort. (SR)

Reviews research dealing with Canadian editors' views of Canada-United States relations, measuring audience activity, the effects of "Herbert v. Lando," agenda setting in the 1976 election debates, media use and political orientations of ethnic groups, the readability of tabloid papers, and the women's magazine short story heroine. (FL)