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Subject:Re: General writing question From:Lauren <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net> To:techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com Date:Thu, 26 Jan 2017 12:28:27 -0800
There is not an authoritative source on the best type of font to use and
I look for such information on occasion. There is an old study that
showed readers has better comprehension with a serif font than a sans
serif font but the internet has changed some of that.
In absence of authoritative preferences, I look through books at
libraries and book stores to see the modern trend. For literature and
educational works, the preference seems to remain serif fonts. Legal
documentation is usually in with same serif font for both headings and
text. For technology-related books, I have seen more uses for sans serif
fonts. Online documentation favors sans serif fonts because it looks
cleaner and works better in low resolution.
In the case of documentation that is available both online and in print,
there may be an emerging trend to use the same font in both media for
consistency and a uniform appearance. The internet generation may
develop a preference for sans serif fonts because that is what they are
accustomed to. Also, some people have become tired of looking at serifs.
...
a new client is insistent on using sans serif fonts for both headings and
text and it isn't pretty when you're trying to read this manual.
Does anyone have any hard references/links to sites that you could point me
to that stipulate why this is the norm/standard for writing manuals?
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