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Reading on screen is a little different from reading on paper. (Click here for more.) For one thing, it's physically harder to read onscreen text from most screens (click here), both because the resolution is lower and because a CRT is a light source - it's like reading the print on a low-wattage lightbulb. Readers compensate for this in various ways (click here for more), and one is greater reliance on scanning. When you scan a page, you look for emphasized phrases that stand out from the surrounding text. (Click here for more.) This emphasis may be provided by boldfacing, underlining, changing the font face or size, and/or placement. These phrases provide the reader with clues about what the text says. This happens rapidly, even unconsciously. As a web designer, you can take advantage of this process by making sure to emphasize key words and phrases that will guide the reader's attention, giving some idea of what you're saying on the initial scan of the page. (Click here for more.)

Reading on screen is a little different from reading on paper. For one thing, it's physically harder to read onscreen text from most screens, both because the resolution is lower and because a CRT is a light source - it's like reading the print on a low-wattage lightbulb. Readers compensate for this in various ways, and one is greater reliance on scanning. When you scan a page, you look for emphasized phrases that stand out from the surrounding text. This emphasis may be provided by boldfacing, underlining, changing the font face or size, and/or placement. These phrases provide the reader with clues about what the text says. This happens rapidly, even unconsciously. As a web designer, you can take advantage of this process by making sure to emphasize key words and phrases that will guide the reader's attention, giving some idea of what you're saying on the initial scan of the page.