Comments on: How readable is your blog?

By: Bene Diction

Bene Diction — Fri, 06 May 2005 20:26:27 +0000

Shortly after I put this up, it looks like the owner got too much traffic, exceeded his bandwidth and put that notice up.
Looks like he plans to put everything back when he can find an affordable hosting plan.

By: alicia

alicia — Fri, 06 May 2005 05:19:39 +0000

How could I find the readability test on that link?
BTW - I used to write tons of patient information handouts. MS Word has a readability index that was very helpful to me when writing these. I was able to wrote clear and accurate instructions with a readability of between 3 to 4 - but it is a challenge. On my blog, I generally write the way that I speak - but I do tend to speak in multisyllabic fashion even in person.

By: Sherm

Sherm — Wed, 04 May 2005 15:06:34 +0000

I’m surprised you didn’t say pedantic, obsequious and redundant all in the same sentence. I may be your twin, but half the time I haven’t a clue what you are talking about when you are on a tear about politics or theology.

At least I can read the instructions to put a bar-b-que together. Argh Argh Argh…

By: Bene Diction

Bene Diction — Wed, 04 May 2005 11:28:42 +0000

You most certainly can<:^)

By: howard

howard — Wed, 04 May 2005 11:00:13 +0000

Using the word “pedantic” in the opening sentence — can I take it that was tongue-in-cheek?

By: Bene Diction

Bene Diction — Wed, 04 May 2005 08:15:02 +0000

Thanks, I haven’t. Reading about how to write is boring.:^) This looks readable, I’ll give it a shot in spare moments when the rules of rhetoric interest me.

Academics have to write within parameters of set style. That is learned, and I agree clear language that communicates content is something to be valued.
But not over-valued.
Universities house a fair number of tenured academics who have to publish and can’t communicate their way out of a paper bag.

I think good technical writers are unvalued - the ones that can write the instructions on how to set your DVD or assemble a toy clearly enough you get it done the first time through.

By: Maryam

Maryam — Wed, 04 May 2005 07:19:41 +0000

I think even amongst academics, clear language that communicates the concepts behind the words, is (or should be) valued highly. Have you ever read Strunk’s little “Elements of Style”?

http://www.bartleby.com/141/strunk1.html

By: Bene Diction

Bene Diction — Wed, 04 May 2005 05:53:43 +0000

I’m tired of the myth that the more or bigger words a writer uses, the more intelligent they are.

Truth is, if they are writing for a peers, they get brownie points for the number of words and how they are strung together. (how well they speak the sub-language)

But public writing - unpretentious, clear and readable for a grade level of 8 takes a lot more intelligence and social skills than most people are aware of.

Complicated language isn’t a form of intelligence when addressing the public, it’s a form of arrogance or ignorance.

By: Rodney Olsen

Rodney Olsen — Wed, 04 May 2005 03:33:49 +0000

I’ve seen a lot of people use complicated language just to appear intelligent. My policy is to always write the way I would speak.

Sure, I don’t want anyone to think I’m an idiot, but I’d rather communicate my point simply and clearly.

By: Bene Diction

Bene Diction — Wed, 04 May 2005 02:39:52 +0000

A score of just around 20 on the fog index is usually a government document. So, if the Gomery report gets around a thousand - (which is over 30) the government is covering something up! (to protect the innocent of course)