DOUGLAS COLLEGE INTER OF FICE MEMO

 

TO All Faculty DATE: Oct.2/74

FROM: Language Competency Group

RE: Readability of College Textbooks

Many complex formulas exist by which the reading difficulty of a textbook
can be assessed. The attached ''Smog Grading Formula'' is a relatively
simple means a teacher may use to determine the reading level of the
textbook he uses.

We would like you to analyze the grade level of the textbook you use;
this will help us to perceive the reading problems students are likely

to encounter.

Questions or responses may be directed to Al Atkinson or Sandra Carpenter.

 

Outline of SMOG Grading Formula

1. Count 10 consecutive sentences near the beginning
of the text to be assessed, 10 in the middle and
10 near the end. Count as a sentence any string
of words ending with a period, question mark, or
an exclamation point.

2. In the selected sentences count every word of
three or more syllables. Any string of letters
of numerals beginning and ending with a space
or punctuation mark should be counted if you
can distinguish at least three syllables when you
read it aloud in context. If a polysyllabic word
is repeated, count each repetition.

3. Estimate the square root of the number of poly-
syllabic words counted. This is done by taking the
square root of the nearest perfect square. For
example, if the count is 95, the nearest perfect
square is 100, which yields a square root of 10.

If the count lies roughly between two perfect
squares, choose the lower number.

4, Add 3 to the approximate square root. This gives
the SMOG Grade, which is the reading grade that a
person must have reached if he is to understand
fully the text assessed.