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Obama's SOTU speech scores readability of an eighth grader, two grades below GWB
The Washington Times ^
| Feb. 1, 2010
| Kerry Picket
Posted on 02/01/2010 2:38:53 PM PST by kingattax
Former Presidents George W. Bush and Ronald Reagan did not have it easy when it came to critics attacking their intelligence, while President Obama, Former Vice - President Al Gore, and Former President Bill Clinton have been hailed as brilliant.
Here is an interesting nugget of new information, though. President Obama blamed himself for not being able to communicate his message properly to Americans, but a new analysis of the president's State of the Union speech, brings to light why Mr. Obama could be having problems in this area.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bhosotu
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1
posted on
02/01/2010 2:38:53 PM PST
by
kingattax
To: kingattax
Isn’t this more likely a reflection on his speech writers? The ones Mr Genius (not) picked?
2
posted on
02/01/2010 2:46:38 PM PST
by
DJ MacWoW
(Make yourselves sheep and the wolves will eat you. Ben Franklin)
To: kingattax
This is simply the way Black Jesus speaks to his peeps.
3
posted on
02/01/2010 2:55:21 PM PST
by
USMA '71
((Re-elect no one!))
To: DJ MacWoW
They DO have to write at a level he can read fluently, though.
4
posted on
02/01/2010 2:56:53 PM PST
by
MortMan
(Stubbing one's toes is a valid (if painful) way of locating furniture in the dark.)
To: MortMan
Absolutely. Which is apparently at 8th grade level.
5
posted on
02/01/2010 2:58:46 PM PST
by
DJ MacWoW
(Make yourselves sheep and the wolves will eat you. Ben Franklin)
To: kingattax
I’m just guessing that it’s written at that level so as to be understood by the mass of illiterati that voted for Obama.
6
posted on
02/01/2010 3:06:42 PM PST
by
Clara Lou
To: kingattax
Sorry, folks. It’s not a bad thing.
His SOTU speech is more accessible to more people than all earlier ones. It means he’s a better communicator, if that’s your measurement, not a worse one.
I know F-K pretty, pretty good, to quote Curb’s Larry David. The higher a speech reads, the denser it is. Not a measure of IQ, but ease of access.
7
posted on
02/01/2010 3:08:16 PM PST
by
StAntKnee
(I keep thinking I'm gonna wake up from this dream theatre of the absurd.)
To: StAntKnee
Oh, forgot to add, I’m standing by in Nomex. Flame-proof. This F-K is not a topic for debate. Just letter lie.
8
posted on
02/01/2010 3:09:57 PM PST
by
StAntKnee
(I keep thinking I'm gonna wake up from this dream theatre of the absurd.)
To: kingattax
I believe most government manuals and forms are written at a 5th grade level. The authors actually have to try hard to achieve this. Lots of things to dislike about the speech - but the reading level isn’t one of them IMHO.
9
posted on
02/01/2010 3:20:48 PM PST
by
lacrew
(Barack Obama is always the least experienced most condescending guy in the room. (Rush))
To: kingattax
"Bush's speeches also averaged 2.4 more words per sentence than Obama, at 19.0."How about the LENGTH of the words? Obama's obsessive use of "I", ought to drag down the letters-per-word average, too...
10
posted on
02/01/2010 3:21:23 PM PST
by
DJ Frisat
(How's that change workin' out for ya, Obama voters?)
To: StAntKnee
Oh, forgot to add, Im standing by in Nomex. Flame-proof.
You poor thing. It's flash proof (or flame retardant), not flame (fire) proof.
11
posted on
02/01/2010 3:28:26 PM PST
by
philman_36
(Pride breakfasted with plenty, dined with poverty, and supped with infamy. Benjamin Franklin)
To: StAntKnee
Nomex Fabric CharacteristicsThe protection provided from Nomex garments gives a person the benefit of a few seconds escape time and the characteristic of Nomex to self extinguish once the person has been removed from the flame source. If the flame source is not removed within a few seconds the fiber will start to char which results in that area not providing any more fuel for the flame in that particular location. Your time has expired. Please vacant the area in an orderly manner. Do not run. Be sure to check the wind direction.
12
posted on
02/01/2010 3:35:52 PM PST
by
philman_36
(Pride breakfasted with plenty, dined with poverty, and supped with infamy. Benjamin Franklin)
To: StAntKnee
I’m also familiar with Flesch - Kinkaid formula. I believe the writer was referring to Obama “blaming” himself for not communicating properly, though he could be understood by an eighth grader. Does Obama think we are dumber than eighth graders? And, we do understand, as boring as Obama’s speeches have become. I reckon when he speaks down to us, he also turns us off, and we turn him off.
Another aspect used with the Flesch - Kinkaid formula, is to know your audience. Bush’s speeches were appropriate for sophomores, because that is the average listening audience conception. An eight grader might be lost, but anyone interested in knowing what’s going on, will understand the speech, and not become disinterested out of boredom.
Most, if not all of us, speak according to people among us. We use baby talk with babies, and graduate upwards with the ages, common sense, and IQs of our peers. For instance, my grandkids would not have an idea what I am saying. However, most, if not all of you will, providing I am posting to your level, and am not boring you to death! If I screwed up, then I apologize in advance!
13
posted on
02/01/2010 3:41:47 PM PST
by
Jaidyn
To: kingattax
what do you expect from a boy that failed lunch...???
14
posted on
02/01/2010 4:35:06 PM PST
by
Chode
(American Hedonist *DTOM* -ww- NO Pity for the LAZY)
To: kingattax
I’ve often heard that if you’re addressing a speech or written document to the general public, eighth grade level is about right. If you use harder vocabulary, you will lose a significant portion of your audience.
15
posted on
02/01/2010 4:38:27 PM PST
by
Rocky
(Obama's ego: The "I's" have it.)
To: StAntKnee
It means hes a better communicator, if thats your measurement, not a worse one.Especially when the target audience is the average journalist.
16
posted on
02/01/2010 4:56:10 PM PST
by
Raycpa
To: philman_36
Funny. I’m hoping the few seconds will be enough to escape.
17
posted on
02/01/2010 5:48:17 PM PST
by
StAntKnee
(I keep thinking I'm gonna wake up from this dream theatre of the absurd.)
To: lacrew
18
posted on
02/01/2010 5:51:30 PM PST
by
StAntKnee
(I keep thinking I'm gonna wake up from this dream theatre of the absurd.)
To: kingattax
Hadn’t thought of that. 8th grade level speeches.
They do know their audience.
19
posted on
02/01/2010 6:23:57 PM PST
by
combat_boots
(The Lion of Judah cometh. Hallelujah. Gloria Patri, Filio et Spirito Sancto.)
To: StAntKnee
You might find what you're looking for in a pair of asbestos underwear.
They're itchy, but effective. {;^)
20
posted on
02/01/2010 9:45:50 PM PST
by
philman_36
(Pride breakfasted with plenty, dined with poverty, and supped with infamy. Benjamin Franklin)
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