Fry Method

 

Select a consumer-oriented, health-related document (book, magazine article, brochure, fact sheet, etc.) and calculate the reading level (by hand) of three portions of the document using the Fry Method (described in the “Simply Put” reference). Each portion should be at least 100 words. For each selection, be sure to include the number of sentences, syllables, and grade level. Describe the title (and link if online), target audience, and focus of the document you selected.

Discuss your reaction to doing this exercise. How much time did it take? What issues did you encounter? What factors seem to affect reading level the most in health-related documents?

Now, find an electronic way to calculate reading levels and apply this method to the same document. Then compare these methods, discussing at least one advantage and one disadvantage to using each. Answer all of these questions in a two- to three-page paper.

• Provided an introductory paragraph introducing the topic of the paper along with a sentence stating the purpose of the paper. In your introduction describe the title, focus of the writing and audience for the sample you analyzed.
• Discuss your reaction to doing this exercise: how much time did it take and what issues did you encounter?
• What variables seem to affect reading level the most in health related documents and does this text seem appropriate for the target audience?
• Discuss the advantage and disadvantage of doing this manually.
• Discuss the advantage and disadvantage of doing this electronically and indicate which electronic method you used.
• Provide a brief closing section to summarize this exercise in your experience