Your story's
visual appeal will affect whether people read it. Poynter's Sara Quinn, Visual Journalism faculty member, wrote the
NewsU course
Typography For News Design, which teaches the basics of typography, its importance and history.
From a list of more than 50 words, you learn typography vocabulary. Some you might know like byline, column inch or banner head. Here are a few you might not be familiar with:
Agate - small type used for sports stats, etc.
Base Alignment - base of text should align in adjacent columns
Gutter or Alley - the horizontal space between two or more columns of body copy
Kerning - adjusting or tightening the space between individual letters in a headline or in display text so that they appear evenly spaced and visually correct
Tombstoning - two headlines side-by-side that run into each other, making it difficult to read.
You also learn the seven principles for creating typographic contrast including contrast of size, color, grouping and weight.
This course is effective through the use of many examples and visuals. Once you've completed the course, apply what you've learned to pages in your publication.
