What is the Reading Level of Your Blog?
I found this nifty website grader over at Chris’s blog. Here’s my results:
(Edited to remove link since it no longer works.)
I think this is pretty good, considering that studies show that must adults read at a seventh to ninth grade level. (That means that most people should be able to read and understand this blog.)
Some other blogs did not rate as being quite as readable. Since we don’t know how this figure is calculated, I can’t say whether it is accurate or not.
Do you think about readability when you post on your blog? Why or why not?
Do you think this rating is accurate? Why or why not?
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About the Author: I am a successful freelance writer with 20 years of copy writing experience. I am available for consulting, business writing, copy writing, editing, technical writing, and web content writing. In addition, I have written an ebook, 
Michele | Dec 7, 2007 | Reply
Wow, I checked this out and my blog’s reading level is genius! Who knew? I’m not quite certain if it’s really accurate, but I am a little shocked. I certainly do not consider myself a “genius”, and I’ve tried really hard to create a down to earth, friendly atmosphere for my readers to enjoy… Hmm… I wish I knew just how accurate this system really is.
Thanks for sharing, though
Smiles,
Michele
Inspiring readers one word at a time…
Sylvie M. | Dec 7, 2007 | Reply
Mine is at college undergrad level, which is fine, because it’s for gifted adults. I can write at the lower level, but it would drive me crazy to have to do it regularly.
Chris | Dec 7, 2007 | Reply
Laura,
Thanks for stopping by. I grabbed a few of my posts and ran them through the readability tool in Word. Wikipedia’s got a run down on it (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flesch-Kincaid_Readability_Test). My second opinion said most of my writing is on the sixth grade level and the reading ease is the upper 60s, low 70s.
Choose your algorithm.
Laura | Dec 7, 2007 | Reply
Good point Chris! It’s always a good idea to get a second opinion.
I’m not sure that the first algorithm is correct. Two of my blogs came out as being for Junior High, but the third one was classified as Genius Level. I don’t think that there’s any real difference in writing style between the three blogs either.
James Chartrand - JCM Enterprises | Dec 7, 2007 | Reply
Well, apparently the kids who play in the elementary school playground kitty-corner to my house can now read and enjoy my blog!
(Uh… I’m not sure that I want them to.)
I vote the test isn’t accurate! Or, no… wait… I vote that Elementary level stands for MAJOR readability! And usability! and it’s THE score to aim for!!
*groans*
Laura | Dec 7, 2007 | Reply
Hi James!
I think the test is inaccurate. Your blog is too advanced for most elementary school students I know.
Jeanne Dininni | Dec 8, 2007 | Reply
Laura,
Mine came through at High School level, which I find very hard to believe, since I tend to use rather long and complex sentence structure, as well as lots of longer multi-syllable words. I constantly have to check myself when I write, to make sure I’m not making my writing too complex!
I’d like to research this a bit further when I have the time. Chris’s info on the Flesch-Kincaid Readability Test should prove helpful for this purpose, since the Wikipedia article on the topic contains the actual formulas used to determine the degree of readability, as well as the grade level of a piece of writing. By using those formulas, we can check the readability of our own blog posts and compare the results to those of this quiz.
Thanks for pointing us to this fascinating tool!
Jeanne
Princess | Dec 8, 2007 | Reply
Hi, Laura,
Thanks for dropping by.
Tried my blog’s level and it says High School! Very surprising for one whose writing’s so elementary! Thanks for sharing this.
rampantheart | Dec 8, 2007 | Reply
Hi one of my blogs’s reading level is High school and the other’s Genius.And i can;t say i don’t like it or like it.But this is absolute fun!Thanks for sharing the info
Laura | Dec 9, 2007 | Reply
Hi Jeanne, Princess, and rampantheart!
This is very interesting! I’m not sure about the accuracy of the test at all.
However, it’s a good reminder to everyone to make sure that what we right is readable to our audience.
Robert Hruzek | Dec 10, 2007 | Reply
Strange… mine ranked Elementary Level. I wonder if that means I’m just a simple fellow, or that I can’t write worth a darn!
Still, ya gotta wonder…
Laura | Dec 10, 2007 | Reply
Hi Robert!
Well, at least you know that you’re probably not over people’s heads!
feefifoto | Dec 12, 2007 | Reply
I prefer to believe the test is seriously inaccurate, as my blog rated at only high school level ;}
Laura | Dec 12, 2007 | Reply
Hi feefifoto!
I guess it depends on what level you were aiming for?
It’s interesting, the wide variety of levels we seem to have here.
shirish | Jul 27, 2009 | Reply
Hi there,
Criticsrant is no longer working