A Guide for Text Complexity
A Guide for Text Complexity Analysis
1. Fill in the title and author information in the upper left side of the placemat.
2. Complete the Text Description. (Green Box)
3. Identify the Quantitative Measure. (Red Box)
Use Lexile.com (or the quantitative measure your district uses) to find the quantitative measure of the text. Use the chart below to determine the grade band alignment for the quantitative measure of the text.
Enter the Lexile Measure and Complexity Band Level on the placemat.
Text Complexity Grade Bands and Associated Lexile Ranges
(Not Applicable for K-1)
450L-790L 2-3
770L-980L 4-5
955L-1155L 6-8
1080L-1305L 9-10
1215L-1355L 11-CCR
4. Identify the Qualitative Measures. (Yellow Box)
a) Choose a portion of the text (preferably in the middle) to read and analyze. (In some cases, use two passages.)
b) Annotate the text (using post-it notes). Look for vocabulary and/or other characteristics of the text that might make it difficult to read.
Features to consider:
• Levels of meaning – single is less complex and multiple levels of meaning is more complex (example is a satire).
• Structure – well marked structure is less complex and something like flashbacks are more complex. Think about how the text is organized.
• Language – contemporary language is less complex while figurative language is more complex – think about the vocabulary the author chose – is it conversational or more academic?
• Knowledge demands – does the author make assumptions about what the reader knows? Three kinds of knowledge demands to think about – life experiences, cultural/literary, and content/discipline specific.
c) Use the Text Complexity: Qualitative Measures Rubric. Check the descriptors that represent the complexity of the text you’ve just read and annotated.
d) Complete the qualitative measures of the placemat by recording your explanations in the areas provided.
5. Note Considerations for Reader and Task. (Blue Box)
Consider the
1. Fill in the title and author information in the upper left side of the placemat.
2. Complete the Text Description. (Green Box)
3. Identify the Quantitative Measure. (Red Box)
Use Lexile.com (or the quantitative measure your district uses) to find the quantitative measure of the text. Use the chart below to determine the grade band alignment for the quantitative measure of the text.
Enter the Lexile Measure and Complexity Band Level on the placemat.
Text Complexity Grade Bands and Associated Lexile Ranges
(Not Applicable for K-1)
450L-790L 2-3
770L-980L 4-5
955L-1155L 6-8
1080L-1305L 9-10
1215L-1355L 11-CCR
4. Identify the Qualitative Measures. (Yellow Box)
a) Choose a portion of the text (preferably in the middle) to read and analyze. (In some cases, use two passages.)
b) Annotate the text (using post-it notes). Look for vocabulary and/or other characteristics of the text that might make it difficult to read.
Features to consider:
• Levels of meaning – single is less complex and multiple levels of meaning is more complex (example is a satire).
• Structure – well marked structure is less complex and something like flashbacks are more complex. Think about how the text is organized.
• Language – contemporary language is less complex while figurative language is more complex – think about the vocabulary the author chose – is it conversational or more academic?
• Knowledge demands – does the author make assumptions about what the reader knows? Three kinds of knowledge demands to think about – life experiences, cultural/literary, and content/discipline specific.
c) Use the Text Complexity: Qualitative Measures Rubric. Check the descriptors that represent the complexity of the text you’ve just read and annotated.
d) Complete the qualitative measures of the placemat by recording your explanations in the areas provided.
5. Note Considerations for Reader and Task. (Blue Box)
Consider the