The ratio of mean sentence length to commas was the most useful computer test for discriminating maturity level in children's writing¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · design r2 · q2
Currency · newest study 2002 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? Dividing mean sentence length by the number of clause-demarcating commas discriminated between middle and higher attainment levels, with smaller figures indicating more frequent and secure comma use at higher levels. → C.E. Holdich 2002

Evidence¶

C.E. Holdich 2002¶

C.E. Holdich, R.G. Holdich and P.W.H. Chung. (2002). Assessing aspects of children's written grammar: automating the process. Computers and Education, Vol 39, pp37-50. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.5/

q2 · i? · design · r2

Computer analysis of the 12 SATs stories: Level 2c-4c stories scored 11.2 to infinity, Level 4a-5b stories around 1, and Level 5a/5+ stories below 1. The authors state smaller numbers indicate 'a more frequent and secure use of commas'.

"The method of dividing the mean sentence lengt h by the number of commas was particularly useful for discriminating between the middle and higher levels, although again, deviations from expected scores indicated either a re lative strength, or weakness in punctuation for a particular writer."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Mean sentence length indicates both insecure and secure full-stop use, with roughly 12 to 16 words per sentence the aim for mature narrative writing — related
• Harpin's type-token ratio of the first 100 words indicates vocabulary diversity, but the rate of TTR drop after the first 100 words does not differentiate attainment levels — related
• Story length correlates with National Curriculum attainment level in children's Key Stage 2 narrative writing, with roughly 300 words needed for Level 4 and 400 or more for Level 5 — related