The Unveiling Literary Landscapes Series

Reading a short story or novel can be a fulfilling and enlightening experience. It allows us to escape the mundane and immerse ourselves in different worlds and perspectives.

Many people may be surprised to learn that the majority of books today are written at a 7th-grade reading level. This is not an attempt to ‘dumb down’ the material, but rather a strategic choice made by authors and publishers to reach a wider audience. By ensuring their content is accessible to a broad range of readers, they increase the potential for their work to be read and enjoyed by more people. This doesn’t mean the content lacks complexity or depth — indeed, many timeless classics and critically acclaimed novels are written at this level. The key is in the delivery of the narrative, where skilled authors can convey profound thoughts, intricate plots, and complex emotions in a manner that’s straightforward to comprehend.

This reasoning could well explain why high fantasy and harder science fiction are sometimes seen as more challenging to read. These genres often introduce complex, specialized terminology and far-reaching, abstract concepts that might not be immediately graspable to readers. High fantasy, with its intricate world-building and unique languages, and hard sci-fi, with its rigorous scientific and technical details, often require a higher level of reading comprehension. As such, these genres may be less accessible and potentially intimidating to those used to reading material written at a 7th-grade level. This is not a reflection of the quality or worth of these genres — far from it. Instead, it highlights the diversity in literature and the varying levels of reading complexity across different genres.

However, not everyone is familiar with the art of reading effectively. In this blog post, we will explore the four key elements of reading that will help you make the most out of your literary journey with reading materials written on a 7th-grade level.

1. Clarity and Directness:

You can expect straightforward writing that focuses on getting the main points across without ambiguity or excessive explanation. Sentences are generally shorter and simpler, making them easier to digest and follow.

This clarity doesn’t mean the content is shallow. Complex topics can still be tackled but through well-chosen examples, analogies, and storytelling techniques. The goal is to ensure everyone, regardless of their educational background, can grasp the key concepts.

2. Emphasis on Engagement:

Expect a writing style that’s lively and engaging, avoiding dull formality and technical jargon. Authors might use humor, personal anecdotes, or thought-provoking questions to keep you hooked.

This doesn’t mean the content lacks in depth or seriousness. Important subjects can still be explored, but the focus is on presenting them in a way that sparks curiosity and encourages active reading rather than passive absorption.

3. Focus on Core Insights:

You can expect the material to prioritize the essential takeaways from the topic. Authors might condense complex arguments or skip less significant details to ensure readers understand the fundamental ideas clearly.

This doesn’t mean the information is incomplete. Authors might provide resources for further exploration if you want to delve deeper into specific aspects, but the key message is always accessible in its core form.

4. Universal Accessibility:

Expect writing that caters to a broader audience, including those with diverse educational backgrounds or varying levels of prior knowledge on the subject. This helps break down barriers and allows anyone to gain insights from the material.

This doesn’t mean the content lacks intellectual rigor. Authors might still introduce new concepts or challenge conventional thinking, but they do so in a way that allows everyone to participate in the conversation and contribute their perspectives.

Reading a short story or novel is an incredible journey that brings awareness and enlightenment to the reader. Understanding the four key elements of reading is crucial to enjoy the literary experience. Writers must include relatable and straightforward writing methods, engage readers with humor, personal stories, and thought-provoking questions, focus on the fundamental insights of the story, and make sure to write in a way that is universal and includes everyone.

Example

Seventh-Grade Level: Igniting the Spark

Elara, with eyes like sapphires and fingers crackling with energy, held up a hand. “Watch,” she whispered, and a spark, bright as a dandelion seed, materialized on her palm.

“That’s it?” I scoffed, expecting a fiery explosion, not a puny glowworm.

Elara chuckled, her voice like wind chimes. “Patience, friend. This spark, it’s just the beginning. See, magic isn’t just waving wands and shouting gibberish. It’s about feeling, understanding.”

She closed her eyes, and the spark in her hand pulsed, growing brighter, like a firefly catching fire. My eyebrows shot up. This was more like it!

“We mages weave threads of fire,” she explained, her voice soft but firm. “Threads from the air, from the sun, from within ourselves. We twist them, bind them, and ignite them with a spark of will.”

She opened her eyes, blazing like emeralds, and the spark in her hand erupted into a miniature sun. Flames danced on her fingertips, tongues of orange and gold licking at the air.

“This,” she whispered, the flames casting flickering shadows on her face, “is a fireball in its cradle. Not ready yet, but growing, hungry for release.”

She cupped her hand, the flames swirling and condensing. Then, with a flick of her wrist, she sent the fireball soaring through the air. It streaked across the night sky, a comet of molten fury, until it vanished in the distance with a satisfying boom.

My jaw dropped. Magic wasn’t just tricks and flashy lights; it was a dance of will and power, a conversation with the very world around us. And for the first time, I wanted to learn the language.

Twelfth-Grade Level: From Ember to Inferno

Alistair, his eyes like molten amber and fingers humming with arcane energy, held aloft a hand. In its palm, a nascent ember pulsed, a mote of pure potential shimmering against the twilight.

“More than theatrics, friend,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble like distant thunder. “Magic is an orchestra, conducted by will, played on the strings of the very world.”

Skepticism lingered, a stubborn ember in my own gaze. Where was the grand spectacle, the fiery explosions that painted the night sky? This flicker seemed a mere candle in the face of a hurricane.

Alistair, with a knowing smile, closed his eyes. The ember intensified, its glow deepening, pulsing with the rhythm of a hidden heartbeat. My skepticism flickered, embers of wonder beginning to catch in my own chest.

“We, the weavers, coax threads of fire from the tapestry of creation,” he intoned, voice resonating with the power of ages. “From the aether, from the sun’s breath, from the spark within, we gather, we bind, and then, with a whisper of will, we ignite.”

His eyes snapped open, a fiery emerald inferno reflected within. The ember in his hand, now a miniature sun, danced between his fingertips, flames licking at the edges of reality.

“This, comrade,” he whispered, flames casting stark shadows on his face, “is a fireball nascent, a primal force held captive. Not yet unleashed, but yearning for release.”

With a practiced gesture, Alistair cupped his hand, the flames condensing into a sphere of molten fury. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he unleashed the inferno. It ripped through the night, a dragon of fire blazing a path across the heavens, its roar echoing through the valleys like a primal battle cry.

I stood, transfixed, the skepticism consumed by the inferno’s fury. Magic wasn’t just flashy tricks; it was a conversation with the cosmos, a negotiation with the very forces that birthed existence. And in that moment, I yearned to learn the language.

Analytical Comparison:

Both approaches aim to convey the mechanics of casting a fireball through the eyes of a non-mage, but cater to different levels of maturity and understanding.

The seventh-grade version utilizes simpler language, concrete imagery, and a playful tone. The focus is on the wonder and spectacle of magic, with comparisons to familiar objects like dandelion seeds and fireflies. Sentences are short and direct, prioritizing accessibility over complexity.

The twelfth-grade version adopts a more poetic and evocative style, employing figurative language and rich vocabulary. The focus shifts towards the internal process and power of magic, drawing comparisons to orchestral music and natural forces. Sentences are longer and more intricate, reflecting a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Ultimately, both versions capture the essence of magic, but cater to different reader expectations and evoke distinct emotional responses. The seventh-grade version sparks a sense of wonder and excitement, while the twelfth-grade version inspires awe and reverence.

Here’s a breakdown of word count, adverbs, adjectives, and other parts of speech for both versions:

Seventh-Grade Level:

Word count: 222 words

Adverbs: 19

Adjectives: 18

Verbs: 42

Nouns: 50

Other parts of speech: 53 (including pronouns, conjunctions, prepositions, interjections)

Twelfth-Grade Level:

Word count: 285 words

Adverbs: 24

Adjectives: 32

Verbs: 44

Nouns: 57

Other parts of speech: 78 (including pronouns, conjunctions, prepositions, interjections)

As you can see, the twelfth-grade version has:

More words overall: 63 more words (about 28% more)

Slightly more adjectives: 14 more adjectives (almost 80% more)

A similar number of adverbs: 5 more adverbs (about 26% more)

A similar number of verbs and nouns: 2 more verbs and 7 more nouns

More of other parts of speech: 25 more words in other categories

This makes sense, as the twelfth-grade version uses more complex sentence structures, figurative language, and nuanced vocabulary, requiring a slightly higher word count and a greater reliance on descriptive elements like adjectives and adverbs.

However, both versions maintain a relatively balanced distribution of different parts of speech, ensuring clarity and engaging storytelling, just tailored to different reading levels and expectations.

The choice to read adult content written at a seventh-grade language level versus the more complex twelfth-grade or higher language level ultimately rests with the reader. This decision may be influenced by various factors such as the reader’s comprehension level, their interest in language density, and the level of intellectual engagement they seek. While some readers might prefer a more straightforward, less embellished language, others might find delight in unpacking intricate sentences and sophisticated vocabulary. It’s a testament to the versatility of language and the diverse preferences of readers.