Sunday, December 23, 2007

Blogger Readability

Well, I'm not sure what to think. I ran my URL through the Blogger Readability test and it came back saying the writing was college level. Then, just for comparison I scanned Jaquandor's blog and his came up saying Elementary School level. What's up with that? Maybe it's his frequent use of words like "weirdness" or perhaps it is the Bart & Homer Simpson references?? But then I ran Mimi's Bigger Than a Breadbox and she also ranked Elementary School level - and for the life of me I can't figure out what would make that possible. She uses generally short, easy to read sentences (a GOOD thing in a blog), but her vocabulary is NOT elementary school in my opinion.Papa Herman's comes in at a Jr. High level as does Jen over at Lords of the Manner.

So now I'm wondering A) how does this thing determine reading level and B) do I come off as a word snob? Granted, I work for a college, I am surrounded by college educated people most the time and I probably do use some phrases that are not typical of lower reading levels. But I've never made any particular attempt to write for a higher level audience. I just write the way I think/talk.

What does that say about me?

9 comments:

Mimi said...

Clearly, it means you are erudite, and I need to step up my big word usage :)

I have no idea, but interesting.

Have a wonderful Feast Day! Christ is Born!

Kelly Sedinger said...

I sad. Me no talk good no more. Me also write letter 'S' backwards.

Kelwhy said...

ROFL - yeah, not sure how in the world mine came up as "college level, post-grad" no way. I mean, my grammer sux, my spelling is always off (see previous sux). Maybe it's just totally random?

Jennifer @ Fruit of My Hands said...

Oooh how interesting. I love websites like that. It probably read one of my more superficial posts, and the fact that I occasionally use the word "butt." Yeah, that's it. :) I'll switch to buttocks from now on.

Random Trivia: the average magazine article is written at a 3rd grade level. The average children's story book (designed to be read aloud to children, not for independent readers) is written using a good amount of college level vocabulary.

I used to have some word processing software that would give you a grade level for a word count selection. The grade level was mathematically determined based on words per sentence, sentences per paragraph, and length of words used.

Jennifer @ Fruit of My Hands said...

Now here is another interesting thing-I ran my blog, and it says Jr High. Then I ran several of my individual blog posts, and they all say "genius" (Does that mean only a genius could understand what I'm saying).

I'm guessing its a character/word/sentence/paragraph counting formula. ??? I wonder if memes drop your level down, because the lists have only 1 or 2 lines per paragraph.

Let me know if you figure it out, I'm intrigued.

Anonymous said...

OK . . .I want to know too. I did my blog readability test and it said "genius". I think that I should send this to all of my writing instructors who gave me C's. This genius writership (if that is a word) status would have been helpful when applying for college scholarships. . .

Michelle said...

Wait . . .one more comment. I posted a blog then I checked my blogger readability again - it went down! So I took that post off and I am going to re-write it so I can keep my genius status!

Booklogged said...

When I read your post I decided to try mine. It was rated High School. I don't understand the rating either. My husbands was Middle School. I realize this info doesn't help you much.

I enjoyed reading the comments. Some good insights.

Michelle said...

I posted another comment . . .I now have a Blog Readability of a high school student. Good bye genius status . . .

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