Dear all
Here's an interesting thing... a colleague here who is responsible for
producing learning materials for the Strathclyde MBA recently happened
to mention something called the fog index to me. This is an index which
is used to measure the complexity of written resources and sounds a lot
like semantic density to me. Not sure if this is of any use to anyone
but it does make semantic density seem a lots less abstract!
Here's spome further information my colleague sent me, this was copied
from the following webpage
http://muextension.missouri.edu/xplor/comm/cm0201.htm
-- Fog indexes --
If you want to test the clearness of your writing, you may wish to
consider using a "fog index." Fog indexes measure the complexity of
writing samples, and often provide a means of calculating the reading or
educational level required to understand a particular passage. Some fog
indexes are available as computer software programs, or you may do the
calculations yourself. Here is an example of a fog index you might try:
The Gunning Fog Index:
Select a sample at least 100 words long. Divide the total number of
words in the sample by the number of sentences. This gives the average
sentence length of the sample.
Count the number of words with three or more syllables in the sample.
Don't count words (a) that are capitalized; (b) that are combinations of
short, easy words (such as "bookkeeper" or "butterfly"); (c) that are
verb forms made into three syllables by adding -ed or -es (such as
"created" or "trespasses"). Divide the total of such words by the number
of words in your sample: for example, 15 long words divided by a sample
100 words long gives you 15 percent hard words in the passage.
To get the fog index, add the sentence length and percentage of hard
words. Multiply this total by 0.4. The answer corresponds to the years
of education needed to easily understand the piece of writing.
(Anything over 17, call "17-plus," meaning above the level of a college
graduate.)
It is important not to over-use the fog index. Use it only occasionally
to spot-check your writing. Don't write to make a good fog index score.
That will make you write short, choppy sentences. Like these.
Instead, learn and practice using the "Ten Principles of Clear
Statement." If you observe these guides to good writing, your writing
will naturally grow easier to understand.
Bye for now
Lorna
--
Lorna M. Campbell
Research Fellow
Centre for Academic Practice
University of Strathclyde
0141 548 3072
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