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Subject:Re: block lettering (readability) From:Christy Yoder <yodercb3 -at- EXPERT -dot- CC -dot- PURDUE -dot- EDU> Date:Mon, 8 Nov 1993 20:11:23 EST
Hello:
I am just responding to your e-mail because I agree with you. CAPS
ARE HARD TO READ. I do not even think that it is very attractive
unless the caps are used effectively in an appropriate font. Even
then, one needs to be careful.
Christy Yoder
> I've read (although I have no sources*) that all caps
> is very difficult to read for most audiences. (I know
> that it is difficult for me.)
> However, in a recent class, every student was assigned a
> brief presentation that included bringing "handouts" for
> everyone else. One student typed his in ALL CAPS! And
> in Helvetica no less! I harassed him during a break and mentioned
> the readability thing, but he had this explanation: As
> a broadcast journalist, he reads copy in caps all the time
> so it is what he is used to reading and typing. Apparently
> all the stuff that comes in "over the wire" are in all caps, too.
> Ditto for teleprompters.
> That was all news to me, so I thought you might find it interesting, too.
> Of course, he should have realized that his audience was not
> all broadcast journalists (this was a communications class).
> LF
> * If you have sources that back up my claim, please provide. Thanks.
