3. Count the number of syllables in the 100 word passage. The number of syllables corresponds to the number of beats you hear when you say the word aloud. Generally there are as many syllables as there are vowel sounds. For numbers and short forms, count one syllable for each symbol (e.g. 1945 = four syllables, & = one)

4. On the graph, find the number of sentences (side) and the number of syllables (top). Mark the spot where the two lines intersect. This is the approximate grade level of the passage.

5. Repeat for two (or more) samples in a long document. Take the average of at least three assessments as the average reading level required for the document.

6. If the lines meet in the grey area, the measurement is not accurate. Try again with another passage.