The reading formulas are based on two factors: sentence complexity and either vocabulary or the number of syllables per word. With the aid of computer programs one can reduce technical text from college graduate reading level to text with a reading grade level from six to nine without dilution of the concept content. The reading formulas programmed include the Dale-Chall, Flesch, Fry, Fog, Farr-Jenkins-Paterson, Spache, and a Spanish language formula. Through continuing adaptation to the needs of publishers and editors over many years the programs have become very user-oriented. They have run on a variety of computers and in many common higher level computer languages. The procedure is described.

Six readability formulas have been programmed in the FORTRAN language for digital computation. These represent the work of Dale and Chall; Spache; Flesch (Reading Ease); Farr, Jenkins, and Patterson; Gunning (Fog Index); and Spaulding (Spanish). The equations are given and briefly discussed. The programs are available from the author for input to a time sharing system.