> Hi Peter,
>
> Thanks for your comments. My replies are under yours below.
>
> >Regarding readability, I would add that I have found the readability
> feature in Word's grammar checker useful in producing text
> for exhibitions.
> >
>
> I think it is a useful tool but few people know HOW they work which is
> crucial :-
>
Agreed. I hope no-one thinks 12 is a good level to aim for! But it is a handy guide, right there on my PC. I find if I aim for readability of 75+ and grade 6 I end up with easily readable text, which of course works better for everyone. I find that using this tool makes you think harder about how you express yourself. These at least are the guidelines I have given the people writing the web sites -- I'll find out more when the texts arrive.
Of course in short passages (like exhibition panels) single long words can skew the figures significantly -- even when the word is what you are explaining -- so common sense needs to be applied as well.
I used this once on a 3 paragraph letter of mine (to a colleague). It came out with a grade level of 23.
>
> I would suggest that all authors look at some of the tests
> mentioned on
> http://www.timetabler.com/reading.html or other sites. The
> actual process
> of studying your language in detail, rather than putting it through an
> automated tool (like the web validators), is extremely valuable.
>
Useful article. Bookmarked.
> Yours,
>
> Richard
>
Best wishes
Pete
--
Peter M Gray
Museums Officer
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