Return-Path: <root> Received: (from root@localhost) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) id f7VBrtp09917 for health-archive@nifl.gov; Fri, 31 Aug 2001 07:53:56 -0400 (EDT) Resent-Message-Id: <200108311153.f7VBrtp09917@literacy.nifl.gov> Received: from mcdc-us-smtp3.cdc.gov (mcdc-us-smtp3.cdc.gov [198.246.97.19]) by literacy.nifl.gov (8.10.2/8.10.2) with ESMTP id f3CIOag03320 for <nifl-health@nifl.gov>; Thu, 12 Apr 2001 14:24:36 -0400 (EDT) Received: from mcdc-us-ims.cdc.gov ([158.111.6.56]) by mcdc-us-smtp3.cdc.gov with SMTP (Microsoft Exchange Internet Mail Service Version 5.5.2653.13) id 2Y0FMB0Y; Thu, 12 Apr 2001 14:25:12 -0400 Received: by mcdc-us-ims.cdc.gov with Internet Mail Service (5.5.2653.19) id <2YW70MAC>; Thu, 12 Apr 2001 14:24:23 -0400 Message-ID: <E0A462DB81E3D211A1390000F863157D056A165A@mcdc-atl-40.cdc.gov> X-Sybari-Space: 00000000 00000000 00000000 From: "Christensen, Jeanne" <ehc4@cdc.gov> To: "'nifl-health@nifl.gov'" <nifl-health@nifl.gov> Subject: RE: [NIFL-HEALTH:3016] RE: Reading Comprehension Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 14:24:26 -0400 X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2653.19) Content-Type: text/plain Resent-From: root@literacy.nifl.gov Resent-Date: Fri, 31 Aug 2001 07:53:55 -0400 Resent-To: health-archive@nifl.gov Status: O Content-Length: 3089 Lines: 80 Thank you Sandra! Following up on Wendy's point about text color, I was wondering if you or anyone else knows about readability of reverse text on colored background. For example, a blue box with white writing on top. Thanks Jeanne E. Jeanne Christensen, MPH Communications and Education Branch Division of Tuberculosis Elimination National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Phone: 404-639-8337 * *During the month of March and April, please dial 404-639-5318 Fax: 404-639-8960 email: ehc4@cdc.gov > -----Original Message----- > From: Sandra Smith [SMTP:sandras@u.washington.edu] > Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2001 1:43 PM > To: Multiple recipients of list > Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:3016] RE: Reading Comprehension > > Thanks Wendy! I'm becoming increasingly aware of a design dilemma: > elements > such as spot color, bolding,and boxes attract the eye, as you have > demonstrated, AND they reduce comprehension. So when we ask "which of > these > pages do you like better" or "which of these are you more likely to read", > readers are far more likely to choose the colorful page with attractive > design elements. But when they read it - comprehension is significantly > reduced compared to a 'plain' predictable page. Examples follow.. > > This from Wheildon, Type & Layout, reporting on 9 years of testing with > 200+ > adult readers in Australia(10% high school students, 23% college degree, > 5% > advanced degree, all others high school grads. -- unskilled readers likely > have less tolerance than these testers for anything that increases the > burden on them). > > Here are findings comparing comprehensibility of black type on grey > background: > > Black on white (no shade) 70% had good (over 70%)comprehension > > Black on 10% black 63% had good comprehension > > Black on 20% black 33% had good comprehension > > Black on 30% black 3% had good comprehension > > According to this research, the best alternative for balancing attraction > and comprehension seems to be a 10% (no higher) cyan (blue) tint to draw > reader's eye to important info, maintain sufficient contrast for easy > reading, and maintain comprehensibility. > > Here are percentages of testers who scored at least 70% on comprehension > of > black type on cyan (blue) tints (10% is very light blue. Intensity of > color > increases with % tint) > Black on 10% cyan tint: 68% > Black on 20% tint: 56% > Black on 30% tint: 38% > Black on 40% tint: 22% > Author notes reduced scores may be due to low understanding, skimming or > skipping the info. > > I'm hoping someone can say definitively that boxing a key message is or is > not equally effective. i would like tosee this research repeated with less > skilled readers.SS > -----Original Message----- > From: nifl-health@nifl.gov [mailto:nifl-health@nifl.gov]On Behalf Of > Wendy Mettger > Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2001 7:36 AM > To: Multiple recipients of list > Subject: [NIFL-HEALTH:3014] Reading Comprehension > >
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