A test that determines the grade level of writing found Michelle Obama broke a record by delivering a speech written at the 12th-grade level. Ann Romney broke a record too, with a 5th-grade levelspeech — the lowest in the history of convention speeches by wives of presidential nominees.
The grade level is based on sentence length and the number of polysyllabic words used. Longer sentences with longer words mean a higher grade level. For example, on women’s issues, Mrs. Obama said, “He believes that women are more than capable of making our own choices about our bodies and our health care…that’s what my husband stands for.”
Mrs. Romney addressed women by saying, “I love you women…You are the best of America. You are the hope of America. There would not be an America without you. Tonight, we salute you and sing your praises.”
To be fair, Ann Romney’s original draft was written at a much higher level than the speech she wound up delivering. I found a copy of her draft edited by Romney’s campaign managers. Here’s an excerpt.
“While there are many important issues we’ll hear discussed…tonight I want to talk to you from my heart about our hearts. I want you to turn off your brains, especially if you’re a woman, and really concentrate on your hearts. That’s what I try to do. That’s the only way I’m able stand up here tonight and encourage you to vote for my husband…