20890 ACE Language (Yr 4) Features of Online Texts

Web page layout
Resource sheet
Layout is the way the text and graphics are set out on a page. The layout of a web page is a very
important part of an online text’s readability. It shows the user where he or she is, names the page,
breaks the page into sections and shows the user the most important parts of the page. Laying out text
and graphics carefully helps to make a page easier to read and understand.
Hierarchy
Hierarchy means organising things according to how
important they are. An online text needs to show the
reader how important the different sections of the
text are. This helps the reader to make sense of the
text. Readability is enhanced, for example, if the title
is the first thing a reader sees, then an introduction,
with easily identifiable headings and text. The most
important items in other pages on a website should be
available through links in the main navigation bars.
Sentences
Online texts need to have sentences that the audience
finds readable. Sentences that have too many difficult
words or are too long reduce readability.
Paragraphs
Large or very wide paragraphs can be hard to read in
an online text. The lines should not be too close or too
far apart, and not too long or short. Long lines of text
can be hard to read and make it hard to find your way
back across the page to the next line. Text that is leftjustified
makes large ‘blocks’ of text easier to read.
Headings and subheadings
Headings should let the reader know what the next section of text is about. The headings and
subheadings can be scanned by readers for words of interest. Headings that are descriptive and help to
break up the text make it more readable. Headings are best when they are slightly larger than the rest
of the text and are in bold type.
Graphics
Graphics that help to explain a part of the text should be placed near that text. They should not be too
small or too large.
White space
If everything is squashed together, reading and navigating a web page can be difficult. White space is
an important part of readability. This is the ‘empty’ space between the paragraphs, lines of the text and
graphics. White space breaks up large blocks of text, separates graphics and text and helps the reader’s
eyes move around the text.
Australian Curriculum English – Language: Text structure and organisation (Year 4) www.ricpublications.com.au R.I.C. Publications ®
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Identify features of online texts that enhance readability including text, navigation, links, graphics and layout (ACELA1793)
© Australian Curriculum: Assessment and Reporting Authority 2012