tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1513616792028141844.post9113023547244733125..comments2023-04-14T06:11:34.177-04:00Comments on Connecting 2 the World: Defining writing style: style vs. levelV Yonkershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11910904367068063554noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1513616792028141844.post-50730586106523925982008-11-06T09:38:00.000-05:002008-11-06T09:38:00.000-05:00I have a better understanding of the measures they...I have a better understanding of the measures they are using for readibility. It is very "linguistic" rather than "communicative." I'm with you in that I think children can handle more linguistically complicated language, and in fact need to learn those more complex patterns to be successful. <BR/><BR/>I know that when I am learning a foreign language, I focus first on the "natural" language patterns, not having to understand each specific word, but needing to understand the rhythm of the language. If I only hear a watered down version, then I am lost when I hit a word or language pattern I am not used to.V Yonkershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11910904367068063554noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1513616792028141844.post-83433753395245497142008-11-05T19:55:00.000-05:002008-11-05T19:55:00.000-05:00Kia ora Virginia.Thank you for the links to my pos...Kia ora Virginia.<BR/><BR/>Thank you for the links to my posts.<BR/><BR/>Style vs Level. Hmmm. I wonder if we are still on the same platform here :-)<BR/><BR/>The <A HREF="http://www.tki.org.nz/r/asttle/" REL="nofollow">asTTle</A> reading levels are governed by complex parameters. I've had this confirmed recently by discussing the matter with a qualified English teacher (I'm qualified in Science).<BR/><BR/>The <A HREF="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flesch-Kincaid_Readability_Test" REL="nofollow">Flesch Reading Ease</A>, which is another (but different) scale from the asTTle levels, is governed by a mathematical expression. It involves such things as average word length (in letters) number of words in a sentence number of sentences in a paragraph and a few other parameters.<BR/><BR/>However, my post refers to something different again. And you are right to say that I (attempt to) use the same level of writing no matter what the age of my readers (within the secondary subject levels).<BR/><BR/>I will have to qualify exactly what I mean by this, however, since there is a consideration of vocabulary (which I DO take into account when writing). Also concept and idea, which must be involved.<BR/><BR/>A chapter that I wrote in year 13 Chemistry will nevertheless be written in the simplest possible language. A year 9 chapter in Chemistry that I wrote will likewise be in the simplest possible language.<BR/><BR/>I have no doubt that in order to write to these levels in Chemistry, and to do it well, there will be factors which, ultimately, will affect the reading levels of these passages. Obviously the complexity of the ideas involved will have an effect on reading level. However, the differences in these levels may not necessarily reflect the true difference in subject levels.<BR/><BR/>Style, as you correctly exemplified with reference to two of my posts, is another issue. That parameter may well affect the reading level of a passage of prose. It should. For a passage written in active language would be different than if it was written in a passive voice.<BR/><BR/>I can only stress the point I attempted to bring across in <A HREF="http://newmiddle-earth.blogspot.com/2008/10/never-fear-big-words.html" REL="nofollow">my post</A>, and comments to that:<BR/><BR/>"<B>I wish to present no other barrier when I write, than possibly the difficulty of the concept I write about.<BR/><BR/>I'd hate my students to give up Science because of my writing style. I'd actually feel happier if they gave up because they found Science too difficult. For me, that would be a better way for them to find their true ability in the subject.</B>"<BR/><BR/>Ka kite<BR/>from Middle-earthBlogger In Middle-earthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08722634477041121797noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1513616792028141844.post-26626365459656219662008-11-05T19:49:00.000-05:002008-11-05T19:49:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Blogger In Middle-earthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08722634477041121797noreply@blogger.com