How to Write at the 6th Grade Level

Determine the reading level in a word processing program.

Sometimes educators and writers have to gear their writing to a certain grade level. When educators and writers are preparing reading materials for 6th grade students, the writing has to be at the 6th grade level so that students at or near a 6th grade reading level can understand it. To begin this process, keep in mind that 6th graders will expect a paragraph to have a topic sentence and supporting details. A topic sentence of a paragraph is one sentence in it that all of the other details are about. It is the main idea of the paragraph. Every supporting detail must be about the topic sentence.

Things You'll Need

• Word processing program
• Computer

Instructions

1. Write two or three paragraphs about a topic. Write as you usually would, not being too concerned about the grade level you are writing for. Follow the generic structure for writing a paragraph, which would be to include a topic sentence and at least three to four supporting details.

2. Check the spelling and grammar with the spell and grammar check tool in your word processing program.

   In Microsoft Word 2007, click the "MS Office Button", click "Word Options", click "Proofing" and make sure "Check grammar with spelling" is selected. Select the checkbox "Readability Statistics." Readability statistics and the reading grade level will appear at the end of a spellcheck.

3. Rewrite your paragraphs. If the grade level was lower than 6th grade, edit the sentences so they are more complex use more elaborate words wherever you can. If the writing is higher than the 6th grade level, edit the sentences by breaking them up into shorter ones. Change less complex words to simpler ones.

4. Check the readability statistics again. You should be moving closer to the 6th grade level.

5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 until you get a readability level of 6th grade.

References

• Clark University: Using Microsoft Word to Find Readability Levels