THE READABILITY LEVEL OF SELECTED NIGERIAN NEWSPAPER EDITORIALS

Abstract

Newspapers generally inform, entertain and educate the reading public. The newspaper editorial, a distinct journalistic form deals with contemporary topics and shows greater concern to communicate and shape the opinion of the public. Therefore, the message of the print media should be for all levels of readers. The implication is that the newspapers should be written at a readability level which all literate readers can read and understand. Unfortunately, Nigerian newspapers have been accused of insensitivity to whether or not their readers comprehend the text offered them. This study therefore, analysed the readability level of our national newspaper editorials and the extent the intended readers understand or comprehend the editorials. This study derives its theoretical framework mainly from Schema and readability theories. The schema theory is based on the assumption that the knowledge stored in the mind is organised into framework and used for processing new information. Therefore, the theory stresses the role of background knowledge in the comprehension of a text. The implication is that when relevant schema is activated by a writer in his text, adequate comprehension is enhanced. Readability theory relates to approaches to the measurement of readability and the theoretical basis of each approach. The formula approach was used in this work to determine the readability level of the sample newspaper editorials. The readability formula used for this study is Flesch Reading Ease Formula (206.835 – [1.015 × ASL] –[84.6 × ASW]). It was used to determine the readability level of twenty newspaper editorials systematically selected from five national newspaper editorials. It was discovered that the newspaper print media hand out to the reading public written texts with no regards to the varied audience or readers. This is evident in the use of long sentences, unfamiliar polysyllabic and high sounding words. The readability level of the editorials was found to be very low, that means, the editorials were difficult and confusing to the average and low literacy readers but readable to undergraduates and graduates. Recommendations on how to make the newspaper editorials readable to all literate readers – the highly educated readers and the majority of the readers whose ability in English is just barely adequate were made. Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.