| Watch out for: | Why? | |
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small columns with short lines | Short lines and small columns make the eye shift too quickly and can confuse the reader into reading across columns instead of down. |
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very long lines | Long lines can also be hard to follow and may create a dense block of type. |
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type that is even on both sides (justified) | Type that is justified on both sides often makes big spaces between words or between letters within a word. These spaces disrupt the reader’s eye movement and can be confusing. |
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hyphenated words | Words that are hyphenated over two lines force the reader to remember part of the word at the same time as she may be trying to sound it out |
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type that is centred or ragged on both sides | Type that is centred or ragged on both sides does not show the reader where sentences begin and end. It looks like each line is a sentence by itself. |
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graphics that are poorly chosen or presented | Graphics should be easy to read and should not interrupt normal reading patterns. |
| The layout that is easiest to read is type that is justified (even) on the left and unjustified (ragged) on the right. | ||
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forms that don’t
give enough space to write forms that use complicated layout |
Seniors, adult learners, and people with motor disabilities may find it difficult to fill in forms that require small writing, or writing letters in individual boxes. |
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forms that use more than one language | New readers may find it difficult to distinguish between English and French, especially if they are used on alternate lines. |