The readability of written mass mailing material produced at the county level of the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service

    Collection:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
    Contributers:
    Johnson, Earl C. (author), Verma, Satish (author), and Johnson: Director, Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition, University of Extension Service, University of Georgia Extension Service, Tifton, GA; Verma: Program Development Specialist, Cooperative Extension Service, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
    Format:
    Journal article
    Publication Date:
    1992
    Published:
    USA
    Location:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 90 Document Number: C06382
    Journal Title:
    Journal of Applied Communications
    Journal Title Details:
    76 (1) : 49-57
    Subject Term:
    Alabama, USA, direct mail, extension agents, Four H, newsletters, readability, readership, and writing styles
    Notes:
    James F. Evans Collection, Alabama county Extension agents' circular letters and newsletters (2.5 million pieces in 1988) were found to be two grade levels higher than the reading level of the average U.S. adult, and 85 percent of Alabama 4-Hers. If this means that these materials are difficult to understand, agents need to write pieces aimed at lower reading grade levels. The study showed that agents would increase readability if they devoted more time to writing. Sensitizing agents to this need and providing learning opportunities in writing for readability are suggested. (original)

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