It seems that learning is also enhanced by the inclusion of so called 'Advance Organisers' which are simply such things as summaries of content and structure, pre and post questions, which are interspersed in the text. There are about ten commonly used formulae which have various degrees of validity and reliability. Some are much easier to administer than others, and they all have limitations when applied to James Joyce, Gertrude Stein or highly codified scientific material. Generally speaking, it is only valid to apply a formula to narrative or expository prose, and whilst it is not suggested you should do so, it is useful to know how material from some subjects have emerged from such analyses. Maths Generally maths texts are relatively easy to read as the words stress operations, whilst the concepts are portrayed in figures and mathematical symbols.
Science Be careful to choose books which are consistent in their level of readability.
Inexplicable variations may occur especially if texts are poorly edited. Investigators have revealed high degrees of inconsistency. So, once again, it is advisable to choose a text which deals with difficult concepts in as clear and simple a way as possible. In addition to textual factors, the reader himself must also be considered in any discussion of readability. The students enrolled in a subject will have a range of individual prior reading experiences, so gross categoriations of readability may have to be reconsidered in the light of individual differences.