TextThatWorks by Activero

Can they read it — or do they know what to do?

Those are two different questions, and most tools only measure the first. Readability tells you whether the text is easy to get through. The Action Score tells you what share of readers land on the action you meant.

Try it on your own text How is it measured? →

The same message, told twice

Below is the same information in two versions. The readability formulas rate the first as easier. The Action Score says the opposite.

The usual memo

The new IT-security course is in the Learning Portal. Staff are asked to be aware of it before 15 March. It takes about twenty minutes. HR can help those who need it.

Flesch79.7
Action Score40

Same facts, clearer

You must complete the IT-security course in the Learning Portal before 15 March. It takes about twenty minutes. If you need help, ask HR.

Flesch71.8
Action Score72

Flesch rates the first as easier — 79.7 against 71.8. The Action Score says four in ten land correctly in the first, against seven in ten in the second. In Danish it is worse: LIX scores the two 22.7 and 23.1. It cannot see any difference at all.

What the number is

A language model reads the text and has to choose between the action you intended and the most likely misreadings. The share that lands on the right one is your Action Score. A 70 means about seven in ten readings arrive at the action you had in mind.

The two numbers can move apart. A text can read easily and still leave people unsure what to do — or read a little harder and point at one action without ambiguity. That gap is what the formulas cannot see.

It is a model reading, not a measurement on real recipients. It tells you how easily the text can be misread — not what your staff actually did.

What it is for

Letters from public authorities. Instructions meant to be followed. Reminders with a deadline. Onboarding material. Anything where it is not enough for the text to be correct — it has to make someone do a particular thing.

It runs in Danish and English, and picks the language from the text.

Try it on a letter you have already sent

Paste the text and see the two numbers. If you want it in your own editorial workflow, write to us and we will set it up with you.

Open TextThatWorks