Twurdy comes from a play on words with the question "Too Wordy?".

Twurdy, a search engine based on Google, was created to provide users with access to search results that suit their own readability level.

Twurdy...

  • uses text analysis software to "read" each page before it is displayed in the results;
  • gives each page a readability level;
  • shows the readability level of the page along with a colour coded system to help users determine how easy the page will be to understand.

Twurdy's goal is to provide web searchers with information that is most appropriate for them.

What is the difference between the different search types?

  • Just Twurdy - searches using Twurdy's basic algorithm with medium speed and medium results.
  • Simple Twurdy - searches using Twurdy's simple algorithm for fast speed but less accurate results
  • Twurdy with Pop - searches using Twurdy's most complex algorithm which includes looking up the popularity of words within the text. It has a slower speed with more accurate results.
Getting more accurate results will save users time in the long run and using Twurdy Pop isn't that slow.

The results are shown "colour/shade coded" and with a rating. Darker results are more complex texts and the lighter ones are easier. Practitioners just have to find those that their learners will enjoy (or get them to find their own).

Try it out at http://www.twurdy.com/search.php.