Designing Instructional Text Third Edition

James Hartley

Kogan Page Ltd, London Nichols Publishing Company, New Jersey

Contents

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Preface and acknowledgements 9

Choosing a page-size 11 This chapter considers how choosing an appropriate page-size for a book or document determines subsequent decisions about the detailed planning of the work. Here I discuss the advantages and limitations of choosing a page-size from the range of standard sizes recommended by the International Organization for Standardization.

Basic planning decisions 17 This chapter discusses the importance of advance planning in the layout of instructional materials. Here I outline the rationale and use of the typographic reference grid and the value of a document specification chart or style sheet.

Type-sizes and inter-line spacing 23 This chapter discusses factors affecting the choice of type-sizes and inter-line spacing. Here I avoid giving advice on choosing a particular type-size in favour of pointing out general principles that underline decision-making at this point.

Choosing type-faces 29 This chapter discusses factors affecting the choice of type-faces. Here I point out that such choices are affected by practical matters: what is the purpose of the text, what is available and what should be avoided.

Space and structure 34 In this chapter I discuss further how one can manipulate the vertical and the horizontal dimensions of a piece of text in order to clarify its underlying structure. The chapter concludes with a specification for the setting of this book.

Writing instructional text 44 This chapter offers guidelines for writing instructional text. Here I consider issues such as organization, clarity and revision. The advantages of computer-aided writing and revising are also outlined.

Theory into practice 62 This chapter presents examples of instructional materials, first in their original state and then revised in the light of the previous discussion. The chapter includes examples to show the effects of changes in layout, changes in wording, and changes in both.

8 Diagrams and illustrations 78 This chapter discusses research on the functions and effectiveness of diagrams and illustrations. I draw attention to the importance of the positioning and the labelling of such materials. In addition I discuss the problems of using additional colours.

9 Tables and graphs 95 This chapter discusses issues to consider when displaying quantitative information. I suggest several guidelines and point out (1) that tables and graphs require as much care in their design and positioning as does the text itself, and (2) that children need to be taught the conventions used in displaying quantitative information.

10 Forms and questionnaires 110 This chapter discusses the layout and content of forms and questionnaires. I draw attention to the costs of completing and processing badly designed materials, and to the need for initial testing in order to eliminate obvious difficulties. I also consider the impact of new technology on the design of forms and questionnaires.

11 Text design for the visually impaired 122 In this chapter I report some of the current research on presenting text for visually impaired readers. I discuss large print, the setting of Braille and how one might improve instructional audiotapes. I also outline some of the advantages and limitations of new technology for presenting text to the visually impaired.

12 Instructional text and older readers 138 This chapter discusses some of the difficulties facing older readers of instructional text. I first outline research with older readers and relatively simple text settings, and I then describe research with more complex materials. Finally, I consider new technological developments in this context.

13 Designing electronic text 149 This chapter considers how far the findings of research with printed text can be used in the design of electronic text. Electronic text has certain limitations and certain advantages. Here I suggest that electronic text will be easier to use when more attention is paid to the design features discussed in this book.

CONTENTS 7

14 Evaluating instructional text 163 Instructional text can be evaluated in a number of different ways. In this chapter I discuss evaluation in terms of content, presentation and teaching effectiveness. Case-histories arc provided to indicate the value of the approaches to design advocated in this book.

Postscript - Designing text for busy readers 177 Text for busy readers needs to be short, clear and action-oriented.

Subject index 178

Author index 182