The readability of your dissertation
This may well be the first time you’ve had something designed. Of course, you’ve probably looked at font size and line spacing in Word before. But how do you assess these elements in a PDF, and how do they affect readability? In this article, we’ll discuss the key things you can check to ensure your thesis is easy to read.
Font size
There is no such thing as the ideal font size; however, everyone has their own preference, so it is a good idea to read a few printed pages from your thesis. Whilst reading, you can pay attention to the size of the text.
Large fonts are easier to read, but fewer words fit on a page when using a large font. A large font can easily look childish. This isn’t surprising, as large letters are easier to read and are therefore suitable for children’s books. Think about what your audience enjoys reading. A doctor, for example, is used to medical books where small letters are the norm. In that case, using a smaller font is no problem at all.
The image below clearly shows how a large letter is easier to read but also takes up more space.
Line spacing
As well as font size, line spacing is also important for the readability of your thesis. As the image below illustrates, line spacing is the space between two lines.
Appropriate line spacing ensures that the eye does not accidentally jump to the next line whilst reading. There is also a visual aspect associated with line spacing. Line spacing determines how dark or light a block of text appears. With narrow line spacing, a block of text appears darker because more text is fitted into the same space. Wide line spacing, on the other hand, often appears lighter.
The rule is therefore as follows: ensure that the line spacing is at least wide enough for the eye to follow the line easily. Beyond that, the amount of space you leave between lines is a matter of personal preference.
To summarise, check whether you the text is formatted in a way that makes it easy to read. If that isn’t the case, ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I have to make a particular effort to focus my eyes?
In this case, we recommend increasing the font size. - Do my eyes jump too quickly to the next line?
In this case, we recommend increasing the line spacing.
