When crafting patient education materials, using easy-to-follow layouts and simple pictures motivate the reader and lead to increased clarity. Writing health information at the appropriate reading level also makes materials accessible to a broad consumer audience. But how do you know the material you are writing is at the right grade level?
Using Readability Formulas
Reading skills in terms of U.S. school grade levels can be determined by formula. Formulas, for the most part, are applicable to narrative language [running text] but not to lists, charts, and tables. The majority of formulas establish readability based on 2 factors:
While many formulas, both manual and computerized, exist, Pfizer has chosen to use the Fry formula as part of its Principles for Clear Health Communication.
Fry was selected because it:
Fry specifies sample sizes of 100 words each. Except for very short pieces, 3 or more samples are selected and then averaged. The reason for selecting 3 samples is that the readability levels are often not uniform throughout the text. One could be misled if only 1 sample was used.
Learn how to apply the Fry formula and view the Fry Testing Exercises. 
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