TLC® EXPLAINED

How Does TLC® (Text Leveling Code) Work?

The process of leveling each book begins with the leveler reading the book. All or part of the text is then entered into the TLS® (Text Leveling System). Algorithms are applied to the text to return both quantitative and qualitative information.

We return the following results:

Number of words Number of different words Number of high frequency words Number of low frequency words Number of long words Average sentence length Maximum sentence length Number of long/complex sentences

Quantitative Information

Illustrations –the amount of text that may be predicted based on the illustrations

Non-fiction Features –whether the following help comprehension: charts, graphs, time lines, diagrams…

Text Features – dialogue, text structure, rhyme…

Vocabulary Attributes - content vocabulary, unusual use of words, dialect…

Syntax – sentence structure, word order… Comprehension – inferences,

abstract/complex concepts

Qualitative Information

Examples

The Cat in the Hat - TLC® 322

Vocabulary

Cat in the Hat Among Similar

TLC® Grade Title Author Summary

Where the Red Fern GrowsTLC® 1894

MacBethTLC® 6918