The simplified cylindrical distribution function has been applied to the determination of the degree of orientation in a moderately oriented linear polyethylene fiber. The function has been calculated using the first two and ten lines of the scattering pattern and, though poorly resolved, yields useful orientation information. It is concluded that the greater the knowledge of the molecular structure of the material under investigation the less the amount of intensity data required to produce a useable function. Although the technique is applicable to both crystalline and noncrystalline materials, the standard methods, applicable only to crystalline materials, are simpler. Therefore, the method can be considered to apply mainly to moderately oriented noncrystalline fibers.