3 ms·
newspapers don't display text in columns not just because it is easier to layout, but also because it is easier and faster to read. the optimum display setting
by nikcub 15y ago
newspapers don't display text in columns not just because it is easier to layout, but also because it is easier and faster to read.
the optimum display settings for reading speed is two columns of an average width of 14 words.
there has been a ton of research in this area[1] [2]
[1] http://edlab.tc.columbia.edu/files/eye-tracking%20article.pdf http://edlab.tc.columbia.edu/files/eye-tracking%20article.pd...
[2] http://www.springerlink.com/content/03310aej5bx4lekk/ http://www.springerlink.com/content/03310aej5bx4lekk/
- iaskwhy 15y agoWhy is it faster to read two columns instead of just one? I can think of a reason: getting your head lower and eventually turning the page makes it slow to be only one column but on a screen you just scroll and scroll... (I cannot read the articles right now, if the answer is there just ignore me.)
- jdunlop 15y agoYour brain might be able to skim faster when it has visible markers to use. I often use lines/paragraph breaks as these markers (on top of punctuation). It's easier to get lost in really long text lines than it is in short ones.