Making your point: Selecting text and illustrations

Short and sweet: Simplifying text
The reading ability of your visitors is likely to vary widely. Research shows that communication is most effective when text is aimed towards the 5th grade reading level (approximately 10 years old). Furthermore, text should be written in a conversational tone and have the following characteristics:

• Short, simple sentences (no more than 15 words).
• A limited number of concepts or major ideas.
• Short, familiar words.
• No jargon or overly scientific expressions - interpretation should NOT look like pages from a textbook.
• Statements that are positive rather than negative
  (eg. 'These birds migrate in winter' rather than 'These birds will not migrate until winter').
• Expressions that use 'we' and 'you' and an active rather than passive voice
  (eg. 'We have found that this species of ladybird eats aphids' rather than 'Researchers have found that aphids are eaten by this species of ladybird').
• Sentences using verbs rather than nouns or adjectives derived from verbs
  (eg. 'The number of fish sighted in this area has increased' rather than 'There has been an increase in the number of fish sighted in this area').
• A limited number of qualifying phrases. In the example below, qualifying phrases are written in italics. Note how removing these makes the sentence less complicated:

Making text more readable

The good, the bad and the ugly: Formatting text
The overall appearance of signs can also have a significant impact on their appeal and readability.

Some design features commonly found on effective signs include: They are written in larger type and are well spaced rather than all squashed up so they are difficult to read. Type size is partly guided by the distance between the reader and the sign - the further away the reader, the larger the font required. Lines of text comprise between 40 and 65 characters (including spaces). This works out to approximately 10 words on each line. They are written in serif (with tails) typefaces such as the one used for this text (Times New Roman). Sans serif typefaces don't have tails and can be harder to read, although the one used here (Arial) is often used for short pieces of text. Sans Serif is commonly used for computer screen text however. They have a uniform style (eg. font size, typeface) throughout the text, and only introduce changes (eg. italics) to emphasise key points or titles. The text is written in lower case rather than UPPER CASE WHICH IS TIRING TO READ. IN ADDITION, TEXTS WRITTEN IN UPPER CASE GIVE THE IMPRESSION THAT THE WORDS ARE BEING SHOUTED. The text is broken up into paragraphs using headings and sub-headings. Information is presented in 'layers' (see section 2). Margins are left justified with standard spaces between words. The type contrasts clearly with the background eg. dark type on a light background or White text on a dark background Other good colour combinations are Dark green text on a light green background Dark green text on a cream background Dark blue text on a light blue background Dark blue text on a white backbround Hint: Red on green and green on red should be avoided as colour-blind people will be unable to distinguish the two. Black on yellow is very easy to read but may not be appropriate for all settings.

Pictures paint a thousand words
Signs are more readable if they include illustrations (eg. pictures, photographs, diagrams, maps) that relate to the content of your messages. Illustrations make your signs attractive, easier to read and more memorable. Illustrations are particularly useful for:

• describing objects, people or places mentioned in the text;
• representing abstract structures (eg. water cycles);
• showing spatial relationships (eg. solar system);
• maps and way finding;
• demonstrating instructions (eg. how to operate an interactive display);
• putting unfamiliar topics into context (eg. recreations of ruined buildings); and
• emphasising key points.
  
  

It is particularly important to ensure that illustrations of sequential events are presented in a logical order. As English is read from left to right, sequences or timelines should also be presented in this order to prevent confusion.

1. Illustrations must be relevant to the topic. If the link between the text and the accompanying illustrations is not obvious, visitors are likely to become confused and may not read any further.
2. Illustrations should be simple and not require extra text (other than a label/caption) to explain them. Remember a picture should paint a thousand words!
   
   
   
   
3. It is easier to read labels than legends or keys.
4. Illustrations should demonstrate one main idea.
5. Illustrations should be positioned so signs are balanced and not too crowded.
   
   
   
   Putting it into practice