Automated readability index: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 13:34, 11 April 2007

Revision as of 13:34, 11 April 2007

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The '''Automated Readability Index''' (ARI) is a [[readability test]] designed to gauge the understandability of a text. Like the [[Flesch-Kincaid]] Grade Level, [[Gunning-Fog Index]], [[SMOG Index]], and [[Coleman-Liau Index]], its output is an approximate representation of the U.S. grade level needed to comprehend the text.

GAY

Unlike the other indices, the ARI, along with the Coleman-Liau, relies on a factor of characters per word, instead of the usual syllables per word. Although opinion varies on its accuracy as compared to the syllables/word and complex words indices, characters/word is often easier to calculate, as the number of characters is more readily and accurately counted by computer programs than syllables.

==Formula==

To calculate the '''Automated Readability Index''':

# Divide the number of characters by the number of words, and multiply by 4.71. This is #1.

# Divide the number of words by the number of sentences, and multiply by 0.5. This is #2.

# Add #1 and #2 together, and subtract 21.43.

<math>

ARI =

4.71 \left ( \frac{\mbox{characters}}{\mbox{word}} \right ) + .5 \left ( \frac{\mbox{words}}{\mbox{sentence}} \right ) - 21.43

</math>

==External links==

*[http://www.online-utility.org/english/readability_test_and_improve.jsp Online readability tests] - finds ARI and other indices, suggestions how to improve readability

==See also==

* [[Gunning-Fog Index]]

* [[Flesch-Kincaid Readability Test]]

* [[SMOG Index]]

* [[Coleman-Liau Index]]

* [[Readability]]

[[Category:Readability tests]]