27. Text Design

James Hartley

University of Keele, U.K.

This chapter is divided into six sections as follows:

1. Some typographical considerations
2. Text layout: structure and access
3. Text difficulty
4. Text design for readers with special needs
5. How textbooks are used
6. Future directions in textbook design

My aim in each section has been to present a particular argument, supported by references to empirical research. In addition, I hope that these references will enable interested readers to follow up the issues raised more widely, should they wish. Regrettably, I have decided that there is no one clear theoretical perspective that I could take in writing this chapter so, accordingly, none is offered. References to particular paradigms in text design are, however, made where appropriate.

One important aspect of text design that is omitted in this chapter is that of the design and positioning of elements such as tables, diagrams, and figures. These issues are discussed in Chapters Sixteen and twenty-six.