GRADE LEVEL: 12 MODULES: 13

SUBJECT: MEDLIT WEEK: 13

TOPIC: Text Media and Information
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OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, the learners should able to:
1. Identify the basic elements in creating a text-based presentation
2. Evaluate the text-based presentation through the design principles and elements.
3. Create a text-based presentation (campaign poster) by using design principles and elements.
LESSON PROPER:
Text Media and Information
“It’s not how you post it, its how you use it.”

Text media are either printed or digital text materials that are published for the purpose of communicating
information to an audience. Text media such as those in the newspaper, textbooks are very important sources of
knowledge information readily available especially those on-line sources.
Text Media is very important since this is one of the basic media and the oldest also. It caters visual learners.
Text Media in form of print, wikis and other form are very helpful.

Text – a simple and flexible format of presenting information or conveying ideas whether hand- written, printed or
displayed on-screen.
a. Text is very powerful as well in disseminating information, providing direction and giving suggestions.
b. Text is available in different sources whether it is formal (news articles, published books, newspapers, magazines,
advertisements, research works, etc.) or informal (blogs, personal e-mails,
SMS or text messages, online messengers, social media platforms, etc).
• Formal text-based materials are created and distributed by established institutions (such as publishing companies,
news agencies, etc.) and go through a rigorous process of editing or evaluation and are usually governed by censorship
of the state.
• Informal text-based materials, on the other hand, come from personal opinions or views on different issues, processes,
etc.
c. Text can be as short such as a single sentence or phrase, or they can be as lengthy as news articles or investigative
reporting. No matter how brief or lengthy, however, a text is always carefully written with the intent of sending a very
specific message to the target audience.
d. In our exposure to text media and information, we can either be a consumer or a producer of content. As a consumer,
these are the questions that you need to ask with regards to the content of text media and information:
• Who or what institution is sending this message?
• What techniques are used to attract and hold attention?
• What is the language used by the writer?
• What views are represented? Are they balanced?
• How might the message be interpreted in different ways?
• What is omitted, slurred or added in the message?
e. As a producer of text media and information, we need to review the media and information design framework: target
audience, author or sender, key content, purpose, form/style and format.
Text as visual
a. Typeface (also called font, font type, or type) refers to the representation or style of a text in the digital format.
b. A typeface is usually comprised of alphabets, numbers, punctuation marks, symbols and other special characters.
When fonts are installed in the computer, they usually come in file formats such as True Type Font (.ttf), Open Type Font
(.otf), etc.
c. In the absence of images or drawings, text is the easiest way of communicating to your audience. The use of various
font types can express different emotions or meaning.
Types of Typefaces:
Serif
Serif - connotes formality and readability in large amount of texts. This font is usually used for the body text of books,
newspapers, magazines and research publication. Also, serif fonts give a classic or elegant look when used for title or
heading.
Examples: Times New Roman, Garamond, Baskerville
Sans Serif
Sans serif - brings a clean or minimalist look to the text. This font is used for clear and direct meaning of text such as
road signage, building directory or nutrition facts in food packages. Also, sans serif fonts give a modern look and is used
primarily in webpage design.
Examples: Arial, Helvetica, Tahoma, Verdana, Calibri
Slab Serif
Slab serif- carries a solid or heavy look to text. This font can be used for large advertising sign on billboards.
Examples: Rockwell, Playbill, Blackoak
Script
Script- draws much attention to itself because of its brush-like strokes. This must be used sparingly and not to
be used in large body text. This font is usually used in wedding invitation cards or other formal events.
Examples: Edwardian, Vladimir, Kunstler
Decorative
Display or decorative- caters to a wide variety of emotions (such as celebration, fear, horror, etc.) or themes
(such as cowboys, circus, holidays, summer, kiddie, etc.)
Examples: Chiller, Jokerman, Curlz MT

Design principles and elements – the principles in designing text elements are Emphasis, Appropriateness, Proximity,
Alignment, Organization, Repetition and Contrast.
1. Emphasis - refers to the importance or value given to a part of the text-based content. When trying to make a point or
highlighting a message, you can make the text bold, italicized, have a heavier weight, darkened or lightened (depending
on your background color) or enlarged.
2. Appropriateness - refers to how fitting or suitable the text is used for a specific audience, purpose or event. In the
creation of text-based content, make sure that the selection criteria (tone, style, purpose, clarity)is followed. As for the
choice of typefaces to be used, refer to the discussion of the characteristics of the fonts. When it comes to large body
text, the font should be clear enough to read.
3. Proximity - refers to how near or how far are the text elements from each other. When two things are closely related,
we bring them close together. Otherwise, we put text elements far from each other. For example, the main title and
subtitle are usually placed close to each other.
4. Alignment - refers to how the text is positioned in the page. This can be left, right, center or justified.
5. Organization - refers to a conscious effort to organize the different text elements in a page. Organization ensures that
while some text elements are separated from each other (based on the principle of proximity), they are still somehow
Connected with the rest of the elements in the page. When there are many elements needed to fit in a page, start by
creating a framework or a compartment for the elements. Divide the space by creating lines across the page, making it
look like a cabinet with various space sizes. Once you are done compartmentalizing, you can place the different text
elements on the boxes.
6. Repetition- concerns consistency of elements and the unity of the entire design.
Repetition encourages the use of repeating some typefaces within the page.
When several typefaces are used on a page, it might distract the audience and fail to communicate what you want them
to get from the content. To strike a balance, do not also use just a single typeface for a visual design product.
7. Contrast- creates visual interest to text elements. Contrast is achieved when two elements are different from each
other. When you place a white text on a very light yellow background, contrast is not achieved and the text will be
difficult to read, but when you put a white text on a dark brown background, contrast is created. Contrast can be
achieved in various ways, by joining the following elements: large font with a small font, serif and sans serif, thin
elements with thin elements, cool color and warm color.