Since text is less legible on screen, hypertext writers need to take precautions to ensure that the reader does not misread words and phrases. William Horton (1994) offers the following suggestions to ensure accurate reading:
For small words that can change the meaning of a sentence, ensure
that they are not misread.
Consider underlining small words (such as all, if, or, any) or displaying them in ALL CAPS. Emphasize key words only, not entire phrases or sentences. OR rewrite such sentences.
Avoid overabbreviation.
Abbreviations are easily misread and can confuse the reader. If you use them, apply only common ones and use them consistently.
Avoid contractions.
The apostrophe presents a problem on low-resolution screens.
Use only standard, easily read symbols.
These symbols include letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and standard symbols ($, *, @, %, &).
Avoid special characters that not everyone can display.
Use standard font sets that are likely to be installed on all computers.
Do not rely on punctuation marks.
Punctuation marks are the most easily misread symbols. For instance, there is usually only a pixel or two of difference between a period and a comma. In particular, avoid colons and semicolons.
To test the vulnerability of the text, remove all punctuation
and see whether readers can still decipher its meaning.
If readers cannot decipher the meaning, rewrite the text so the meaning does not depend on a single punctuation mark.
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Last Updated: May 2, 2001
(c)2000 by Alysson Troffer. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce or redistribute any material from this document, in whole or in part, without written permission.