Visual examples of text formatting
See the difference effective formatting makes with side-by-side comparisons of space, bolding, and structure.
Tip
In this section, we illustrate how simple formatting changes—like space, bolding, and bullet points—can dramatically improve readability. These examples are based on content from the GOV.UK Holiday entitlement page.
Note: While GOV.UK is a model of best practice, these examples show how applying specific principles can further aid processing for all readers, especially those with dyslexia or cognitive load challenges.
Text as experienced by dyslexic readers
Text version of the interactive demonstration. This example simulates cramped text to illustrate how people with dyslexia often experience reading.
The box first shows this paragraph cramped: small justified serif type, lines packed tightly, letters and words squeezed together and slightly blurred. Selecting the box shows the same paragraph in clear, spaced sans-serif type.
An employer can choose to offer more leave than the legal minimum. They do not have to apply all the rules that apply to statutory leave to the extra leave. For example, a worker might need to be employed for a certain amount of time before they become entitled to it.
Seeing text like this increases:
- Visual tiredness
- Stress & anxiety
- Reluctance to read
Benefits of space
Simply increasing the font size and line spacing gives the reader a much greater sense of reading ease.
Text version of the interactive demonstration. The same paragraph is shown three times with different type settings.
An employer can choose to offer more leave than the legal minimum. They do not have to apply all the rules that apply to statutory leave to the extra leave. For example, a worker might need to be employed for a certain amount of time before they become entitled to it.
- Text at 12pt / 1x spacing (Standard): ordinary size with tight line spacing.
- Text at 14pt / 1x spacing (Larger Font): larger type with the same tight line spacing.
- Optimal + Adjustable: starts at 20px with 1.5 line spacing; the reader can enlarge it up to 40px and reduce it to 14px in steps of 2px, and reset it to 20px.
Benefits of highlighting key words
We can make it even easier for the reader to skim and scan the paragraph by bolding key phrases.
An employer can choose to offer more leave than the legal minimum. They do not have to apply all the rules that apply to statutory leave to the extra leave. For example, a worker might need to be employed for a certain amount of time before they become entitled to it.
This makes the text approachable and guides the eye to the main points.
Benefits of chunking with bullet points
An even more powerful aid to processing is breaking the text into smaller chunks. Bullet points are useful even if the text is not a list in the traditional sense.
Original Paragraph
For this course you are required to submit one individual assignment, weighted at 100%. There will be a choice of two questions; you should answer only one of the two. The assignment should be a maximum of 3,000 words including the main body of text, tables, figures, and diagrams, and excluding appendices, footnotes, and the full list of references at the end of the document.
Chunked Content
For this course you have to submit one individual assignment weighted at 100%.
- There will be a choice of two questions; you should answer only one of the two.
- The assignment should be a maximum of 3,000 words.
- The word count includes: the main body of text, tables, figures, and diagrams.
- The word count excludes: appendices, footnotes, full list of references.
Benefits of combining bullet points with bolding
Even with bullet points, bolding key phrases adds another level of guidance for the reader. It makes text more readable even with a smaller font.
Assignment Details (Dark Mode Example)
For this course you have to submit one individual assignment weighted at 100%.
- There will be a choice of two questions; you should answer only one of the two.
- The assignment should be a maximum of 3,000 words.
- The word count includes: main body of text, tables, figures, and diagrams.
- The word count excludes: appendices, footnotes, reference list.