what do you expect from a boy that failed lunch...???
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 ...
Isn’t this more likely a reflection on his speech writers? The ones Mr Genius (not) picked?
They DO have to write at a level he can read fluently, though.
Absolutely. Which is apparently at 8th grade level.
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.
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.
Oh, forgot to add, I’m standing by in Nomex. Flame-proof. This F-K is not a topic for debate. Just letter lie.
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.
How about the LENGTH of the words? Obama's obsessive use of "I", ought to drag down the letters-per-word average, too...
Your time has expired. Please vacant the area in an orderly manner. Do not run. Be sure to check the wind direction.
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!
what do you expect from a boy that failed lunch...???
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.
Especially when the target audience is the average journalist.
Funny. I’m hoping the few seconds will be enough to escape.
Bingo!
Hadn’t thought of that. 8th grade level speeches.
They do know their audience.
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