Masters Theses

Date of Award

12-1990

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Communication

Major Professor

Jerry L. Morrow

Committee Members

James Crook, Paul Ashdown

Abstract

This study used a computerized readability program written by Wayne Danielson to determine the readability levels of the Inside Lines, an employee communications medium used by Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc., in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and to determine if the Inside Lines are too difficult for the average reader to understand easily. This study builds on an earlier work by Mary McSpadden on the readability of news releases at Martin Marietta Energy Systems. Inside Lines from July 1989 to December 1989 were run through the Danielson program. The program produces grade score adaptations for the Flesh Reading Ease Formula, the Farr-Jenkins-Paterson Formula, the Gunning Fog Index, the Danielson-Bryan Formula and the SMOG Grade. The program also produces scale scores for the Flesch, Farr-Jenkins-Paterson and the Danielson-Bryan formulas. Scores are interpreted by a table provided with the Danielson program. The resulting readability scores were tabulated, and averages were calculated to generalize the data. The results of this study showed that the Inside Lines were written at a level too difficult for average readers to read and comprehend easily.

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