Eight Count

Eight Count is a method used to help you improve your word choice by making you aware of the level of your writing. You can’t fix it if you don’t know that it is broken, right?

1. Select 8 sentences

Divide run-ons; count as individual sentences.

Do not include introductions or conclusions.

2. Count words that have three or more syllables in those 8 sentences.

Eight Count

Do Count:words with three or

more syllables “higher level” one/two

syllable words or mature phrasing

Do Not Count: simple two syllable words

+ ing/ed/es any word more than twice a multi-syllable word used

incorrectly a proper noun words provided in the

prompt

3. Convert word count to grade level.

0-5 = 3rd grade vocabulary 5-10 = 5th grade vocabulary 10-15 = 8th grade vocabulary

15-20 = high school vocabulary 20 + = pre-college vocabulary

Eight Count