2.5 Key Chapter Terms

Chapter 2 Terms

Abstract Graphics:

Abstract graphics are charts, tables, graphs, and graphics that pull numbers out of text.

Accessibility:

Ensuring that all people-regardless of ability-can interact with the documents produced (Case Western Reserve University, n.d., para. 1)

Font:

Characters of a single size aligning with a specific typeface.

Headings:

Titles for sections that help to guide the reader around a document’s breakdown of topics.

Icons:

Simplified and stylized visual representations of objects, concepts or actions (Creatopy Team, 2024, para. 1).

Illustrations:

Visualizations that are used to explain information, such as drawings or diagrams (Kaloyanov, n.d.).

Interactive Elements:

Anything a user can interact with in a document, such as hyperlinks (Hrkac, 2018, para. 3).

Justification of Text:

Justified text is spaced so that the left and right sides of the text block both have a clean edge. Usually, text is left-aligned which has a straight left edge and an uneven right edge (Butterick, 2013b, para. 1).

Kerning:

The process of adjusting the spacing between characters in a proportional font.

Leading:

The traditional name for Line Spacing. The vertical space between lines of text (Butterick, 2013a, para. 1).

Line Spacing:

The vertical space between lines of text. Also known as Leading (Butterick, 2013a, para. 3).

Lowercase:

The small and uncapitalized version of letters (“Lowercase”, n.d.).

Multimedia Presentation:

A presentation in which different forms of media are incorporated, such as text, audio, video, and images.

Objective Graphics:

Graphics that depict reality.

Readability:

The ease in which a reader can understand text (California State University Northridge, n.d., para. 1).

Sketchnoting:

The creative and graphic process where thoughts are recorded by using illustrations, symbols, structures, and texts. Also known as Visual Notetaking.

Symbolic Graphics:

Graphics that symbolize reality.

Text:

The words of something written (“Text”, n.d., Definition 1).

Text Layout:

Text that is organized on the page to enhance readability.

Titles:

A concise summary that represents the contents of a document.

Uppercase:

Capitalized letters (“Uppercase”, n.d.).

Visual Aids:

Visual elements that help to reinforce text content.

Visual Expression:

Expressing one’s thoughts and feelings using a visual medium such as images or drawings.

Visual Notetaking:

The creative and graphic process where thoughts are recorded by using illustrations, symbols, structures, and texts. Also known as Sketchnoting.

Visual Vocabulary:

Using shapes or symbols to create meanings with little text involved.

Whitespace:

A gap that is unoccupied by text or graphics.

Attribution & References

Except where otherwise noted, Terms and definitions are adapted from the pages and original sources cited within chapter 2, CC BY-NC 4.0.

References for terms from outside sources

Butterick, M. (2013b). Justified text. Practical Typography. https://practicaltypography.com/justified-text.html

California State University Northridge. (n.d). Readability. https://www.csun.edu/universal-design-center/readability

Case Western Reserve University. (n.d). What is Accessibility?. https://case.edu/accessibility/what-accessibility

Creatopy Team. (February 16, 2024). What is an icon in graphic design. https://www.creatopy.com/blog/what-is-an-icon/

Hrkac, Z. (September 2, 2018). 7 interactive elements that will help you get users attention. Bamboo Lab. https://bamboolab.eu/blog/development/7-interactive-elements-that-will-help-you-get-users-attention

Kaloyanov, N. (n.d). What is illustration? Definition, evolution, and types. GraphicMama Blog. https://graphicmama.com/blog/what-is-illustration/

Lowercase. (n.d).  In Vocabulary.com dictionary. Retrieved November 10, 2024, from https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/lowercase

Uppercase. (n.d.). In Vocabulary.com dictionary. Retrieved November 10, 2024. From https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/uppercase

Text. (n.d).  In Vocabulary.com dictionary. Retrieved November 10, 2024. From https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/text