Qualitative and Quantitative Examination of Text Type Readabilities: A Comparative Analysis

This study compared 2 main approaches to readability assessment. Thequantitative approach applied idea density based on part of speech tagging andcompared 3 sets of text types (i.e., narrative, expository, and argumentative) withrespect to their ease of reading. The qualitative approach was done throughdeveloping questionnaires measuring intermediate EFL learners’ perceptions oncontent, motivation, quality of language, and format of the same text types. Thequantitative results indicated significant differences between narrative andargumentative as well as between narrative and expository text types in terms ofidea density. In other words, argumentative and expository texts were more readablethan narrative ones. Significantly, higher perceived readability for argumentativeand lower perceived easiness of expository texts were reported by the participants.It was found that the argumentative texts are more readable than their narrativecounterparts. This finding was supported by both qualitative and quantitativeapproaches to readability assessment. The results indicate that there needs to be areconsideration of different readability approaches in the selection of texts for theirintended readers. Implications for writing instruction and research on readabilitywill be discussed.