Using Readability Formulas

Using Readability Formulas Any readability formula is one of many methods of measuring or predicting the difficulty level of text by analyzing sample passages. A conventional readability formula measures average word length and sentence length to provide a grades and Observations, below. Five popular readability formulas are the Dale-Chall readability formula (Dale Chall 1948), the Flesch readability formula (Flesch 1948), the FOG index readability formula (Gunning 1964), the Fry readability graph (Fry, 1965), and the Spache readability formula (Spache, 1952). Examples and Observations: Because researchers have been examining readability formulas for almost 100 years, the research is comprehensive and reflects both the positive and negative aspects of formulas. Essentially, research firmly supports that sentence length, and word difficulty provide viable mechanisms for estimating difficulty, but they are imperfect. . . .As with many tools that work with normally developing readers, readability formulas may require some tweaking when the target population includes struggling readers, learning-disabled readers, or English language learners. When readers have little or no background knowledge, readability formula results may underestimate the difficulty of the material for them, particularly for English language learners. (Heidi Anne E. Mesmer, Tools for Matching Readers to Texts: Research-Based Practices. The Guilford Press, 2008) Readability Formulas and Word Processors Today many widely used word processors offer readability formulas along with spell checkers and grammar checkers. Microsoft Word provides a Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level. Many teachers use the Lexile Framework, a scale from 0 to 2000 that is based on average sentence length and average word frequency of texts found in an extensive database, the American Heritage Intermediate Corpus (Carroll, Davies, Richman, 1971). The Lexile Framework circumvents the need to perform ones own calculations. (Melissa Lee Farrall, Reading Assessment: Linking Language, Literacy, and Cognition. John Wiley Sons, 2012) Readability Formulas and Textbook Selection There are probably more than 100 readability formulas currently in use today. They are widely used by teachers and administrators as a way of predicting if a text is written at a level appropriate for the students who will use it. While we can say with relative ease that readability formulas are fairly reliable, we need to be cautious in using them. As Richardson and Morgan (2003) point out, readability formulas are useful when textbook selection committees need to make a decision but have no students available to try out the materials on, or when teachers want to assess materials that students may be asked to read independently. Basically, a readability formula is a quick and easy way to determine the grade level of written material. However, we must remember that it is only one measure, and the grade level obtained is only a predictor and thus may not be exact (Richardson and Morgan, 2003). (Roberta L. Sejnost and Sharon Thiese, Reading and Writing Across Content Areas, 2nd ed. Cor win Press, 2007) The Misuse of Readability Formulas as Writing Guides One source of opposition to readability formulas is that they are sometimes misused as writing guides. Because formulas tend to have just two major inputs- word length or difficulty, and sentence length- some authors or editors have taken just these two factors and modified writing. They sometimes end up with a bunch of short choppy sentences and moronic vocabulary and say that they did it because of a readability formula. Formula writing, they sometimes call it. This is a misuse of any readability formula. A readability formula is intended to be used after the passage is written to find out for whom it is suitable. It is not intended as a writers guide.(Edward Fry, Understanding the Readability of Content Area Texts. Content Area Reading and Learning: Instructional Strategies, 2nd ed., edited by Diane Lapp, James Flood, and Nancy Farnan. Lawrence Erlbaum, 2004)Dont bother with the readability statistics. . . . The averages of sentences per paragraph, words per sentence, and characte rs per word have little relevance. The Passive Sentences, Flesch Reading Ease, and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level are computed statistics that dont accurately assess how easy or hard the document is to read. If you want to know whether a document is hard to understand, ask a colleague to read it. (Ty Anderson and Guy Hart-Davis, Beginning Microsoft Word 2010. Springer, 2010) Also Known As: readability metrics, readability test

Teachers Perception of Leadership Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 7500 words

Teachers Perception of Leadership - Essay Example d be to understand and subsequently work on factors that satisfy teachers-those who have been in the profession for a long period of time as well as those who are now about to board on this particular journey in life. What then are the factors, which satisfy teachers? Researchers have discovered many issues, which influence teachers’ job satisfaction in a significant way. However, they all agree that measuring job satisfaction is challenging because teachers are not in harmony with what satisfies them throughout their career. In spite of its difficulty to measure, investigators note that the degree of teacher satisfaction directly affects the school’s stability, the quality of instructions and hence the overall climate of the school (Bogler, 2000; Richards, 2003; Woods & Weasmer, 2004). Researchers examined the various qualities in a principal that are desired by teachers (Haser & Nasse, 2003; Nir & Kranot 2006; Jorissen, 2002; Richards, 2003). Richards (2003) compared the needs in terms of principal’s behavior of three groups of teachers - those with 1-5years experience, those with 6 - 10 years and those with 11 years or more of teaching experience. Richards utilized a phenomenological study and discovered that the beginning teachers cited â€Å"emotional support and safety† as their main need. Teachers with 6-10 years valued â€Å"respect as professionals† as the key element in their job satisfaction while those with more than 10 years regarded â€Å"respect for their knowledge and experience† as their chief need (2003, p.12). However, support for the teacher was the main factor in influencing teacher’s satisfaction for the entire range of teachers. Richards (2003), like Woods and Weasmer (2004),

Religion, Literature Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Religion, Literature - Essay Example However, after Nietzsche had developed an independent mind, their difference grew, as they perceived humanity and life through different perspectives. This paper delves into Nietzsche’s disappointment with Wagner and how his religious views diverged from Nietzsche’s views. Nietzsche describes Wagner as a musician who is the master than anyone he knows in the discovery of tones that are peculiar to tormented, oppressed, and suffering souls (Darby 56). Wagner could even give a speech to dumb misery. He could be master of everything that was small, but he refused to be this according to Nietzsche. Several other factors made Nietzsche disappointed in Wagner. The work begins by showing that he and Wagner were opposites (Darby 60). He goes on to state that the book was for psychologists and that all Germans were excluded from those he intended to read his books. This was most likely in reference to Wagner and his roots. Nietzsche then goes on to express his admiration for Wagner and his ability to express both his misery and suffering in his creations of short music. After this, he goes on to take a critical stand on Wagner’s attempt at large work production (Nikos 65). Nietzsche was also critically disappointed at the physical aspect of Wagner’s music (Nikos 65). He even went on to try to expose Wagner as more of an actor than of a composer. According to him, Wagner’s feet, lungs, heart, throat and intestines were affected uncomfortably. Nietzsche also says he was disappointed to discover that in Wagner’s music existed no pleasing melody or rhythm. Rather, Nietzsche contends, Wagner’s music was merely a way of enhancing gesturing and posing theatrically. Nietzsche also reveals that he wanted and desired profound, wanton, cheerful, roguish, graceful, and tender music. He reserves praise for Chopin, Peter Gast, Liszt and Rossini, and all Venetian music. He, in fact, ends the Intermezzo with his poem, Venice. He found the discussed qualities

Topic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Topic - Essay Example Thereby, as per Epicurus, every individual is free to lead the kind of life one wants to lead and to choose the values that one respects and considers sacrosanct and worthy. Hence, it is quiet not possible to understand the dogmas of Epicureanism, without paying heed to the importance that Epicurus endows on free will and the human capacity to engage in rational decision making. Consequently, the restraint suggested by Epicurus in the sphere of simple living and parsimony needs to be understood in the light of these innate human capacities. As per Epicurus there is a limit to simple living and any individual indulging in the extremes of simple living is as likely of being erroneous as the one who engages in prolific extravagance. As per Epicurus, every person tends to seek pleasure in life. To put it in simple words, each and every individual tends to aspire for a life that is endowed with a measure of gratification and happiness. The values like honesty, prudence and justice cease t o hold a pragmatic and viable meaning in case an individual’s life is totally devoid of pleasure. ... Epicurus suggests that while opting for a viable choice in the matters or simplicity and for that matter any other value, one needs to ascertain the amount of pleasure and pain it would lead to and thereby should decide matters while weighing the one against the other. As per Epicurus, â€Å"Necessity is a bad thing, but there is no necessity to live with necessity (36).† Thereby, if one tends to translate the Epicurean philosophy in the matters of simple living, it amply gets clear that Epicurus vehemently stands against any such idea of simple living that not only augments the content of pain in life, but also deprives one of the minimal necessities required to lead a fruitful and happy life. Extremes of simple living expose life to a situation of dearth and necessity that eventually gives way to pain and hurt. Epicurus warns the human intellect against ascribing to this idea of leading a simple life that unnecessarily augments pain and necessity and consequently dilutes ple asure or happiness. As per Epicurus, â€Å"Life is ruined by delay and each and every one of us dies without enjoying leisure (36).† Thereby, it gets quiet evident that Epicurus is totally repugnant of the idea of adhering to extremes, whether it be living an extremely simple life that is ascetic in its approach and deprives the human experience of all pleasure, or adhering to a life of profligacy and extravagance, which force the human consciousness to make comprises in the quest for extreme pleasure, and thereby eventually getting mired in the bog of pain and dearth. Thereby, the Epicurean approach towards the matter of living a simple life is one of moderation and balance, which on the

ISMG Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 6

ISMG - Essay Example Keeping information from the analyst could have serious legal implications for Barton and could land him into trouble. The best approach for Barton would be to focus on the positives and try and only answer questions that the analyst asks (Austin, Nolan and ODonnell). The basic reason behind the poor structure of the recovery plan was neglect on the part of the company’s IT department. The neglect of recovery plan allowed the organization’s employees to take it for granted. This further led to the plan’s frequent testing (Austin, Nolan and ODonnell). Continuation testing and validation of the recovery system ensures that the recovery plan is in up to date and ensures that the concerned individuals at the organization are well prepared in case an unfavorable incident occurs within an organization. Recovery plans are to be tested by an organization at least once every year. Moreover costs of carrying out the test were also one of the reasons why the organization was not enthusiastic about reviewing its recovery plan. Neglect of the recovery system and lack of interest on the part of the organization’s management proved to be costly to the entire organization (Austin, Nolan and ODonnell). Shutting down an organization’s IT system is a major setback. Not only would that mean loss of profits but would also have an impact on the company’s reputation. Shutting down the IT system is the last resort and must only be used after all options have been thoroughly reviewed, examined and deemed ineffective. IT systems must be shut down when there is a fear that an attacker has placed a malicious piece of software, such as a Trojan, within the organization’s network (Austin, Nolan and ODonnell). Usually such a piece of software provides the attacker with a backdoor to access the network and cause damage to the network itself and the data that resides within the network. In such a case an organization must shut down its

What an IT manager must do to create and maintain a successful project Essay

What an IT manager must do to create and maintain a successful project team - Essay Example Additionally, it is an arrangement of activities those are formulated for of planning, initiating, managing and executing resources with the objective of completing specific project or task deliverables inside allocated timeline and budget constraints (Ahn, 2012; Kerzner, 2006). In addition, a project manager is assigned to a project. A project manager is responsible for managing projects tasks. In this scenario, a skillful and qualified project manager is one who is able to foresee the entire project from initialization to completion, as well as have the ability to realize the project vision. For better project management especially in information technology sector, IT project managers are required to make administration skills and capabilities more flexible (Ahn, 2012). This report discusses the role of a project manager in creating and maintaining a successful project team. In this scenario, this report will outline some of the fundamental aspects regarding project management such as basic skills and capabilities required by an IT Project Manager for developing and controlling a successful project team. Given below are some of best practices those are fundamental for of a successful project manager: Effective communication is one of the fundamental aspects of every project management practice. Additionally, for the efficient and effective project management IT project managers need to keep in mind a number of fundamental aspects. In IT project management, project managers need to improve the communication with their team mates using latest tools and technologies. The constant communication and efficient interaction among team members make the overall project easy to handle and deal out. In this way they are able to discuss and resolve project issues and problems. Hence, the project manager is also able to assess the level of the project and possible decision needs to make the project successful (MindTools, 2012). Professionalism is also one of the

Position paper about what does Yemen think should be done about Syria Research

Position about what does Yemen think should be done about Syria - Research Paper Example It is important since it transformed the Yemeni government for the better of its economy and welfare of the citizens. Yemen is situated in Southwest Asia. It borders Saudi Arabia and Oman whose current occurrences affect its political activities with the trade between them taking a critical role in the politics of Yemen. Egypt is one of its allies while Iran is a foe. Yemen economy has feeble national integration with an immense population growth amid differences between the South and North of the nation. Yemen’s GDP is $1460 below other countries such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Iran. Yemen became a UN affiliate in 1947. It is a member of UNDP, IOM, USAID and UNIDO. It has signed the WTO agreement with US among others with Saudi Arabia. Syria is an Arab country whose peace has been damned by the Arabian spring. Most of its citizens initiated protests, demanding for various grievances, including restoration of civil rights, halting of a position of emergency initiated in 1963 and political reforms. This situation of turbulence has affected the countries’ economy and government detrimentally. The Arab spring, as brought about by the recurrent protests and riots against poor governance in the Arab countries, has inculcated unrest in Syria, among other Arab countries such as Yemen. The protesters claim the government does not take care of unemployment, corruption, poor economy and constitutional alterations. The upsurge of violence in Syria seems to ensue even as more citizens demise in their fight for rights among other grievances. Principally, this has resulted from Assad’s reluctance to consider the demands by the citizens (Liberdom). Additionally, Syria records a deteriorating economic freedom index due to the upsurge and poor governance. If the Syrian government does not initiate peaceful democratic processes to hoist its