Toward a new definition of readability

Abstract

Within a general framework of structure‐of‐text research, a new definition of readability is proposed, based on three textual variables: structure, “texture,” and informational density of text. For structure, three kinds of superstructures and three categories of sectional structures are described, and various combinations of these are placed on a gradient of difficulty. For “texture,” or explicitness, a continuum is sketched. Informational density is described in general terms. Empirical evidence for each of the proposed variables is reviewed. The interactions of reader and textual variables in the act of comprehension are discussed, the reader variables being world knowledge and ability to use learning strategies. A number of hypotheses for future research on readability are presented, and implications for teaching are suggested.