Visual discriminability of headings in text

Abstract

It is pointed out that writers and editors have powerful formatting and typographical tools available in word processing and desktop publishing software that can be applied to headings to visually reveal or signal the structure of text, and thus the author's perspective. Results of studies are presented which suggest that (1) visual discriminations among headings are easier for a reader to make when headings vary on fewer rather than more formatting and typographical dimensions, (2) size is the most powerful visual cue to a heading's hierarchical position, (3) relative size differences among different levels of headings of about 20% are more discriminable than are absolute size differences, and (4) formatting cues are perceived by readers consistently but not necessarily conventionally.< <ETX xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">></ETX>

Journal
IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Published
1992-06-01
DOI
10.1109/47.144865
CompPile
Open Access
Closed
Topics
Export

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (8)

  1. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  2. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  3. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  4. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  5. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Show all 8 →
  1. Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication

References (37) · 3 in this index

  1. 10.2466/pms.1982.54.3c.1303
  2. On the selection and evaluation of visual display symbology: Factors influencing search a…
    Human Factors  
  3. 10.1080/01449298708901853
  4. 10.1007/BF00052394
  5. Nonparametric Methods for Quantitative Analysis
Show all 37 →
  1. 10.1016/0010-0285(80)90005-5
  2. 10.1080/02724988843000104
  3. 10.1038/scientificamerican1186-114B
  4. The Organization of Prose and Its Effects on Memory
  5. Promoting reading comprehension
  6. 10.1037/0278-7393.6.4.335
  7. 10.1037/0022-0663.69.6.730
  8. 10.2307/747664
  9. 10.1037/0022-0663.75.6.811
  10. 10.2307/747349
  11. The relation of format organization to learning
    Bulletin of Educational Research
  12. Headings in text
    Remedial Education
  13. 10.1111/j.2044-8279.1980.tb00816.x
  14. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  15. 10.1037/0278-7393.5.5.496
  16. 10.2307/747969
  17. Designing Usable Texts
  18. 10.1016/0010-0285(73)90036-4
  19. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  20. 10.2307/747476
  21. Toward a Psychology of Reading
  22. 10.1037/0033-295X.85.5.363
  23. 10.1515/text.1.1982.2.1-3.155
  24. 10.1016/S0022-5371(77)80050-9
  25. Learning and Comprehension of Text
  26. 10.1037/0022-0663.72.3.304
  27. 10.1111/j.2044-8279.1983.tb02551.x
  28. 10.1016/0361-476X(89)90029-5
  29. How Headings in Documents Can Mislead Readers
  30. 10.1016/0361-476X(81)90003-5
  31. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  32. A Study of Standardized Headings for Warranties