SH1904

TEXT MEDIA – Definition, Characteristics, Criteria, and Design

Text
• Backbone of information • Literary critic
• Combination of characters and symbols Although it is commonly used, text
being used to transfer, store, synthesize, media requires individuals to be literate
and analyze information in the meaning of the characters being
used. This need for comprehension sets
Text Media a limit on the capabilities of text media.
• A means or channel that makes use of
symbols (characters, letters) which Advantages and Disadvantages
individuals can analyze, interpret, and
glean information from ADVANTAGE DISADVANTAGE
• Low priced to • Less
produce memorable or
Characteristics of Text Media • Communicates engaging
complex topics compared to
• Accessible in multiple formats effectively other media
Text media is not limited to books, • Requires more
• Clarifies other
magazines, or newspapers. It can also consideration
media
come in the form of a billboard, subtitles
• Easily changes, and processing
to a movie, or an image arranged to
updated, and • Based entirely
ressemble words.
customized, on learner
• Highly motivation
• Easily recognizable
accessible
Since this medium is widely used, it is
easily recognized as a channel of
communication. If a person looks at a
Selection Criteria
phone message, they can already tell
that these characters mean something Selection criteria refer to key aspects
and contain information.
that individuals must take note of in order to
• Provides time for consideration determine the best use of text media in a
Processing information takes time, scenario. Using selection criteria allows text
but since text media requires individuals media to be used effectively in disseminating
to read and analyze the characters to information.
gain information user often have time to
process this information while seeing it. • Purpose and appropriateness to the
audience
• Customizable – can be general or • Relevancy to today’s world and society
specific • Alignment to the organization or
Unlike other media forms, text individual’s objectives and viewpoints
information is customizable. It can be • Sustainability and cost-efficiency
used to transfer general or specific
information. Additionally, text media is
often combined with other media. Design Elements and Principles

• Emphasis
Focused on highlighting or giving
importance to specific parts of the
content. Techniques include making the

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 SH1904

text bold or italicized, increasing the
weight, darkening or lightening the font
color/background, or changing the size of
the text.
• Contrast
Develops interest in one’s content
and elements. Two or more subjects that
are entirely different need to be placed in
relation to each other. Techniques
include placing bright images on dark
backgrounds (and vice versa), large font
with small font, serif and sans serif font
together, cool and warm colors, and the
height and width of the elements.
• Organization
Compartmentalizes and arranges all
elements of the page/media to establish
a theme or cohesive structure.
Techniques include adding whitespace
to certain areas to show division,
grouping similar elements together in one
(1) location and, establishing borders to
clarify new ideas or sections.
subheadings, these two (2) are usually
placed very close to each other.
REFERENCES:
Berrien High School Media Center. (n.d.).
Selection Principles and Criteria.
Retrieved from Berrien High Media:
http://berrienhighmediacenter.weebl
y.com/selection-principles-and-
criteria.html
Revano, T. F. (2016). Media and
information literacy for senior high
school. Manila: Mindshapers Co.,
Inc.
Teach Together: K-12 Teacher's Resource
Community. (n.d.). Media and
Information Literacy. Retrieved from
teachTogether:
http://teachtogether.chedk12.com/te
aching_guides/view/248

• Repetition
In line with organization, this
establishes consistency and a sense of
theming across the medium. Techniques
include using the same bullet styles
throughout, placing images in the same
location, and having the same page style
and border.

• Alignment
Focused on the positioning of all
elements on the medium. This can be
centered, left, right, justified, one (1)
column, two (2) columns, or more.

• Proximity
Focused on the location of each
element and their relation to each other.
Proximity establishes the relationship of
an element with another. For example,
the content of the first topic must be
located away from the title of the second
topic if it is unrelated. For headings and

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