20890 ACE Language (Yr 4) Features of Online Texts

The text
Resource sheet
The type used to create the text in online or digital documents affects how readable the document is.
Readability is enhanced when the type is chosen considering the following:
Typefaces
The design of a collection of letters, numbers and symbols is called
a typeface. It is sometimes called a font, but a font is actually the
digital file that tells the computer and printer how to display and
print the different forms of typeface.
There are thousands of different typefaces, but usually you will see
similar typefaces being used in online texts. There are two main
types of typefaces: serif typefaces, which have a small line at the
end of the main stroke of a letter, and sans serif typefaces, which
don’t have a small line. Most digital texts use sans serif typefaces.
There are also ‘fancy’ fonts, but these are not used as often.
Serif and sans serif typefaces are most often used because they
are easier to read. Fancy typefaces might be used for a title or
heading, but tend to be harder to read, so are not used as often. To
make a text readable, most online documents use fewer than three
typefaces.
Text colour
Have you ever noticed that most of the text on a web pages is black or dark colour on a white
background? There is a reason why! A dark text on a light background is the easiest to read. Bright
colours might make the page more beautiful or interesting, but can make the text harder to read.
Text size
The size of the type used on the page can help the text to be more readable. Type that is too small, or
too large, can reduce readability. However, having the headings or subheadings in a larger size makes
them stand out, so the reader knows there is something important or there is a new section. Too many
different sizes in texts can be confusing, so many will often have no more than three different main font
sizes.
Bold, italics, underlined and capitals
Type can be made bold, underlined and italicised. This is usually to emphasise words or short
sentences, and to ‘break up the page’ with variety. Bold is often used for headings or titles, or a
keyword in a text. Italics look ‘softer’, or slightly less important than using bold. Italics, bold and
underlined text aren’t usually used for large paragraphs because this can reduce readability. If
everything is bold, then nothing stands out ‘boldly’. Text hyperlinks should be a different colour or
underlined so the reader knows they are hyperlinks.
Sometimes headings or important words are written completely in capitals. This is done to help the
reader see that something is important, or that a new section is starting. Text in ALL CAPITALS, however,
is not used very often. Making all the letters the same size makes it harder to read by reducing the
difference between them—and it looks a bit like the author is shouting!
Australian Curriculum English – Language: Text structure and organisation (Year 4) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ®
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Sans serif typefaces
different typefaces
different typefaces
different typefaces
Serif typefaces
different typefaces
different typefaces
different typefaces
Identify features of online texts that enhance readability including text, navigation, links, graphics and layout (ACELA1793)
© Australian Curriculum: Assessment and Reporting Authority 2012