The ms-word readability evaluation function

The ms-word has a readability evaluation function. The following explanation are described as a "Flesch Reading Ease" and "Flesch-Kincaid grade level" shown on the dialog after finishing the proof reading using the ms-word.

* Flesch Reading Ease

The following is the algorithm to determine the Flesch Reading Ease.

- Calculate the average number of words you use per sentence.

- Calculate the average number of syllables per word.

- Multiply the average number of syllables per word multiplied by 84.6 and subtract it from the average number of words multiplied by 1.015.

- Subtract the result from 206.835.

- Algorithm: 206.835 - (1.015 * average_words_sentence) - (84.6 * average_syllables_word)

The result is an index number that rates the text on a 100-point scale. The higher the score, the easier it is to understand the document. Authors are encouraged to aim for a score of approximately 60 to 70

* Flesch-Kincaid grade level

The following is the algorithm to determine the Flesch-Kincaid grade level.

- Calculate the average number of words you use per sentence.

- Calculate the average number of syllables per word.

- Multiply the average number of words by 0.39 and add it to the average number of syllables per word multiplied by 11.8.

- Subtract 15.50 from the result.

- Algorithm: (0.39 * average_words_sentence) + (11.8 * average_syllables_word) - 15.9

The result is the Flesch-Kincaid grade level. Like the Gunning-Fog index, it is a rough measure of how many years of schooling it would take someone to understand the content. Negative results are reported as zero, and numbers over twelve are reported as twelve.

* How to use

Select "Tool"-"Option" from the MS-Word and check the box of "Show readability statistics". After executing the grammer checker, the follwoing screen is displayed.

Tag: Flesch Reading Ease readability ms-word