TEXCT COMPLEXITY: THE STORK HAS ARRIVED (STORY) BY SAID AHMAD
Keywords:
Keywords: Text Complexity; Readability; Lexical Sophistication; Syntactic Density; Discourse Structure; Cognitive Load; Cohesion; Coherence; Computational Linguistics; Natural Language Processing; Text–Reader Alignment; Comprehension;Abstract
Abstract: Text complexity represents a multifaceted construct that encompasses
linguistic, cognitive, and structural dimensions influencing how readers process and
comprehend written discourse. Contemporary research conceptualizes text complexity
through quantitative indices—such as lexical sophistication, syntactic density, and
readability formulas—and qualitative attributes including coherence, cohesion,
discourse structure, and conceptual load. Scholars argue that evaluating text
complexity requires an integrative framework that captures both surface-level features
(word frequency, sentence length, morphological variation) and deep-level elements
(semantic depth, inferential demands, and genre conventions). Advances in
computational linguistics and natural language processing have significantly expanded
the precision of complexity measurement, enabling automated assessments across
diverse textual corpora. These analytical tools contribute to curriculum design, literacy
development, and appropriate text–reader alignment in educational contexts.
Ultimately, understanding text complexity is essential for optimizing reading materials,
supporting differentiated instruction, and enhancing comprehension outcomes across
various proficiency levels.
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