Table 2.

Broad Comprehensibility Recommendations

Indicator	Example	Description
Fluency	Short Captions	Present one message per visual using short captions. Each caption should be near the visual and help explain the visuals in a tone appropriate to the readers. They should tell the reader what to do, instead of what not to do.
	Headings as Cues	Headings should include whole statements to convey ideas rather than just a couple words. This lets headings communicate more.
	Readable Text	Use clear, nonfancy text in at least 12-pt sized font. Avoid italics and all caps as these can be hard to read. Headings should be at least 14-pt sized font.
	Pictographs	Pictographs are picture sequences that can be used to show a series of actions. They can quickly explain procedures and be memorable to the reader. Be sure to limit sequences to seven steps or fewer.
Amount	White Space	Keep 10%–30% white space, including ½- to 1-in margins to keep the document clutter-free and easy to read. Cramming too much on the page can be overwhelming for readers.
	Short messages	Give the most important information first and limit information to no more than three to four main messages per document and lists with three to seven bulleted items.
Coherence	Images of People	Including people in images works best when people are of the same ethnic and cultural background as your reader, including skin tone, activities, clothing, and backgrounds.
	Images That Show Actions	Photographs of actions are often most effective when used to show people engaging in activities and emotions. They can quickly gain attention while telling a story. Images work best when backgrounds are not distracting and pictures are focused and cropped.
	Familiar Language	Communicate in simple, conversational language as if you were talking to a friend. Use language that matches the readers’ values and beliefs.
Timing	One Idea Per Page	Presenting one idea per page can help with conveying a cohesive message and aids recall. Having to turn the page in the middle can lead the reader to forget the beginning of the message.

The table reflects recommendations for comprehensibility based on CDC guidelines (2009), Jarmolowicz et al. (2008), and the FACT Model recommended by Catagnus et al. (2020). Notice that this categorization is one way to align recommendations, however, these guidelines are not mutually exclusive and could satisfy multiple categories. For example, including people in images and images with actions could satisfy both fluency and coherence; keeping one topic per page could satisfy amount and timing, and including short captions could satisfy both fluency and coherence.