Analyzing Textbooks

 Readability: this refers to the appropriateness of the content and the presentation of that content for the readers. If it is written at a reading level that is going to frustrate students it will be difficult for them to attain the information presented in the text. Similarly, if the discourse of the text is poorly worded or confusing, students will have difficulty understanding the content. In order to determine the readability of your textbook use the attached analysis charts and the Fry readability graph. Page 107 of your text explains the Fry graph.

Text Coherence  When examining how effectively a text conveys information to the reader we evaluate it based on:  Global coherence: This refers to the overall theme or focus of the text. Ideally, “major ideas should span the entire text so that the readers are made aware of the global nature of the material and can follow the ideas without becoming confused” (Richardson & Morgan, p. 100); and  Local coherence: This applies more specifically to the writing style and mechanics of the text. If there are grammatical errors or poorly worded sentences it will negatively impact the student’s comprehension. Local coherence is concerned with how the text conveys the information to the students.

Text Organization  Organizational patterns: –simple listing, –sequential listing, –cause and effect, –comparison and contrast, –problem and solution –definition and analogy/example.