Words of wonder level 339 series#

However, due to the large number of variables, the conclusions are sometimes ambiguous. The factors affecting speed and comprehension have been extensively researched. Reading then becomes less efficient in terms of speed, but more efficient in terms of comprehension. When there is difficulty in reading the text, your eyes are likely to make a backward movement, a ‘regression’. These pauses consume about 90 per cent of reading time, each pause lasting for about 0.2 second.

Words of wonder level 339 series#

You are probably a fluent reader, reading at a rate of 250-300 words per minute, your eyes moving in a series of rapid jerks and pausing 8-10 times along the length of a typical line. This is particularly necessary when pupils are given instructions to perform a specific task - not only may the motivation be low, but the learning experience is likely to be spoilt unless the instructions are followed accurately. In practice, this means that the prose in a school book usually should be much simpler than the readers are capable of reading. Indeed, a textbook has been defined as ‘a book that no-one would read unless they had to’. Generally, motivation for reading school books is likely to be low. These include approval by the teacher, the use of merit marks, and success in tests and other tasks. This internal motivation is very powerful, but not easily modified by a teacher.There are other, external, factors which affect motivation and which can be adjusted to advantage. A young electronics enthusiast may read and persevere with a complex electronics magazine, but quickly abandon the simplest history book. This aspect of readability is probably the most important, but unfortunately it is also the least tractable. These factors are discussed in turn, followed by the results of research into school science textbooks. The complexity of words and sentences in relation to the reading ability of the reader.The legibility of the print (and of any illustrations).The interest and motivation of the reader.The term readability refers to all the factors that affect success in reading and understanding a text. too much material containing entirely new ideas.This is likely to happen when the text is : An accomplished reader is likely to be bored by simple repetitive texts.Ī poor reader will soon become discouraged by texts which s/he finds too difficult to read fluently. Readability is concerned with the problem of matching between reader and text.

How well the author succeeds will depend on the readability of the text. When writing a textbook, a work-sheet or an examination paper, an author is intent on transmitting information to the reader.

The whole article can also be downloaded in. Reading ages for school textbooks, especially in science. Sentence structure, including readability formulae. Legibility, including type, layout and reading conditions. This article outlines the subject of readability, and its relevance to school books. Measuring the reading age of books and other reading matter.