Font Matters

Often, when I am proofreading a document, especially web copy, I find myself distracted by the font choices the writer has made.

Common font foul-ups:

* wrong font choice for document type - the bottom line is that some fonts were never meant to be used for writing more than a heading and a large heading at that. Try writing a paragraph using Chiller in font size 10 and then reading it back - unless you enlarge it by 200%, you will have a LOT of trouble! I find Times New Roman, Arial, Bookman Old Style, or Georgia (what you are reading now) the best fonts for standard documents. Have fun with the fancy fonts if you are needing to do a one or two word heading, but make sure you adjust the size accordingly.

* too many different fonts used within one document - even if it's a website, consistency is key to your reader absorbing what you have written, rather than the being distracted by the look of it. If it is well-presented, font-wise, the reader won't even notice the font itself. However, the reverse is also true. A document with poorly planned font use is glaringly problematic. A website should use the same font type in every page of the website.

* bold/italic/underline feature overuse - don't overuse features. Just because they are available doesn't mean you need to use them constantly. The reader becomes confused and your message is not effectively communicated. By being selective in the use of these features, you are able to draw the reader's attention to particular points of interest.

* font size variability - using a larger sized font is fine, for example, for a heading, as long as it is distinctly larger. Writing a heading in size 14 font, then writing the following paragraph in size 12 may be too similar. It would be better to use a 16/12 contrast, or, alternatively, maintain font size for the heading and paragraph, but bold or underline the heading.

* CAPITALISING everything - once again, capitalising everything in your document reduces the impact of the message you are conveying. Instead, capitalise KEY words for effect. Some writers entirely avoid capitalisation of whole words, as the reader may perceive unintended aggression in the message.

Next time you are creating a document, keep these simple tips in mind. You'll be happy with the results.

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