Fonts
Text Function | Font Size | Font Face | Font Emphasis |
Headings |
Headings need to be in a larger font size than that of the body text, and different levels of headings should be distinguished from one another. Headings generally range in size from 14 to 22.
|
Headings need to be in a sans serif font such as Helvetica or Arial. Sans serif means "without feet," and thus these fonts are smooth and boxier. |
Headings need to be bolded. Italics should be reserved for emphasis within body text. Underlining should be avoided. |
Body Text |
Body Text needs to be in a smaller font than that of the headings, and the size you select should remain consistent throughout the document. Body Text generally ranges in size from 10 to 14, but, for this course, you should use 12. |
Body Text needs to be in a serif font such as Times New Roman, Palantino, or New Century Schlbk. Serif fonts have "feet," and thus are more legible in the body of a document because they provide more visual cues to readers.
|
Body text generally needs to be unemphasized. Bolding and italics should be used sparingly in order to maintain their rhetorical effectiveness. Underlining should be avoided. |
Bullets
Bulleted List
Bullets highlight a set of components, items or ideas within the body of your document. You should use them when you are not emphasizing the sequence or amount of items within your list.
Item
Another Item
Yet Another Item
Numbered bullets highlight a sequence or amount of components, procedures, items, or ideas within the body of your document. You should use them when you are emphasizing a set of steps or the quantity of items within your list.
Borders
When creating
sections within your document, borders are an effective choice for "chunking"
information and making it more accessible to readers. For an illustration
of border usage, see the section headings within this electronic document.
Miscellaneous
In order to "chunk" your information and separate your sections, you should make ample use of white space. That is, you should not cram your text and headings together; spacing adequately between and within sections better allows readers to access information.
Section Titles
Because a document generally has multiple audiences (managers, technicians, lay persons, sponsors, etc.) with varied concerns and priorities, you should label sections so that their content is clearly indicated; that is, descriptive titles allow readers to enter a document at multiple points rather than having to move through it in its entirety from beginning to end.