Defines trade books, explores the possible uses of trade books in reading programs and the readability of trade books, and examines the vocabulary and rhetorical devices in trade books. (MB)

Study of reading ease and human interest of books used in introductory courses in several areas showed that textbooks used in introductory reading courses are easier to read than textbooks used in other areas but they are not very interesting. (JM)

Indicates that mission statement developers in both corporate and university settings need to improve the readability and the tone of their written statements in order to maximize their organizational image. (NKA)

A four-factor approach to estimating the readability of content area texts for learning disabled students focuses on vocabulary, syntax, density, and format. (CL)

Passages from a standard American history textbook were revised by three pairs of writers: text linguists, college composition instructors, and former Time-Life editors. Students who read the magazine writers' rewrite were able to recall about 40 percent more of what they read than students who read only the original. (KH)

Examined the readability of psychoeducational reports and the effectiveness of manipulating report variables to facilitate parental interpretation (N=114). The data indicated that traditional reports are written above the reading level of most parents, but modification of selected report variables facilitates parental interpretation. (JAC)

Tax instructions suffer from vocabulary and concept loads, but make a useful teaching tool. (Author)

The Fry Graph for Estimating Readability can be used to provide students with feedback concerning the complexity of their writing. (KS)

The cloze technique for assessing readability is explained and several examples of its application to reading in mathematics are given. (DT)

This study examined the relationship between writing quality, readability, and selectivity in 17 higher education journals. Readability was assessed through two indexes of readability. Data were analyzed using zero-order Pearson product-moment correlations, independent two sample t-tests, and analysis of covariance. Findings show that quality of…

Study indicates Fog Index of eleven is normal for popular literature and suggests the readability levels have increased by two in the past twenty years. (RB)

Standards for the use of the informal inventory are guidelines, not absolute criteria, but which may by used with any type of reading material. (Authors/MB)

Principles of cognitive psychology are used to explain the reading comprehension process. More effective diagnosis and solution of reading problems can be made by understanding the many factors involved and using a broad conceptual model, including internal and external influences, to pinpoint difficulties. (Author/CJ)