With improvements in technology, more and more people are turning to the internet for various types of information. But with so many documents on available on the internet, how can you successfully capture your target readers. While there are many different factors that may influence the level of readership, let us look at issues to consider when designing text for the web.
Parker (2003) explores issues ranging from online reading, reduce line length, line spacing and white space. It is harder to read documents online than compared to print. Onscreen reading requires projected light. Readers are effectively staring into the lens of a slide projector. Individual letters making up the message are projected on the screen.
Parker (2003) explores issues ranging from online reading, reduce line length, line spacing and white space. It is harder to read documents online than compared to print. Onscreen reading requires projected light. Readers are effectively staring into the lens of a slide projector. Individual letters making up the message are projected on the screen.
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| Use of White Space |
Filling too much of the screen with text must be avoided. The lack of white space presents a "hard to read" image. Reduce line length by having a generous margin along the left hand edge and a narrower margin along the right hand edge of each page. This is important since readers do not need to make as many left to right eye movements as they scan each line of the text. It is also important to use white space to subdivide and organise documents. Avoid placing subheads equidistant from the preceding paragraph and the paragraph they introduce. It is better to place more white space above the subheads, where it clearly indicates a break with the previous topics, than between the subhead and the text it introduces.
Poor Line Spacing
Compromising on line spacing can seriously affect the document's appearance and make it harder to read. The correct line spacing for any application is determine by the interaction of typeface, type size and length line. White space between lines, act as "rails" which guide the reader's eyes along as they move from left to right.
Another important issue according to Nielsen (1996), is the use of inverted pyramid writing style. Studies shows that many users don't scroll when reading text documents on the web. Instead the read only the top part of an article. Only very interested readers will reach the bottom of the pyramid and get the full story. Therefore, web journalist usually start an article by telling readers the conclusion, follow by most important supporting information, and end by giving the background.
The generous use of images is one reason why there is a preference to publish documents online as compared to print. Mostly, pictures and words are used together to help users understand its contents. However, visuals are not always helpful. The above shows how sometimes images get in the way, especially if they are there for the purpose of decorating the text. Here we see images of clothing and fashion accessories. The text "Even the best fall down sometimes" makes absolutely no sense as to how falling down is related to the image. "There is little argument about the power of pictures to make ideas vivid. The continuing controversy is over how to bring words and picture together in harmonious way so that readers can use the information to fit their unique purpose (Schriver, 1997 Pg. 411)."
References :
Parker, RC 2003, Looking good in print, 5th edn. Paraglyph Press, Scottsdale, Arizona
Image Source : <http://pad3.whstatic.com/images/thumb/9/9d/ChangeLineSpacing-6.jpg/500px-ChangeLineSpacing-6.jpg>
Nielsen, J 1996, Inverted Pyramids in Cyberspace, <http://www.nngroup.com/articles/inverted-pyramids-in-cyberspace/>, viewed 15 February 2013.
Schriver, KA 1997, Dynamics in document design : Creating text for readers, Wiley Computer Publication, New York
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