Designing Instructional Text

Abstract

The context of the book and its contents are outlined; its aim of providing guidelines derived from empirical research for the design of instructional text is emphasized. One of the book's particular proposals-structuring of text by the controlled use of vertical space-is examined, and the relative merits of vertical and of horizontal space are discussed. The review then presents the book's arguments from research evidence for certain design practices. These arguments are found to be, typically, ease of production and cost-benefit, rather than the justification of benefit for the user. The book is held to be putting forward a programme-not merely a set of guidelines-the chief characteristic of which is simplicity of form, in contrast to what the book sees as the irrational forms of “traditional” typography. The review considers some possible virtues of “traditional” typography, and, in the design of some tabular matter, alternatives are suggested to the approaches of the book and of “traditional” typography. In a concluding evaluation of the book, the attempt to provide for typographic design generally applicable to research findings is questioned. Alternative paths for research in this field are suggested.