The use of colored text
Deciding on colored text is heavily dependent on the rhetorical situation and the genre in which the writing is for. Colored text can be used for emphasis, embellishment of a piece of writing, or to convey a certain mood or feeling associated with the color of choice. The following is an example of colored text for a peer-reviewed psychiatry journal that uses the same hues for a harmonious effect.
Context
In the context of "The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry," colored text is not necessary for most medical journal but is often seen. Though the article reports recent study, due to its subject matter, formality associated with scientific studies do not apply and therefore colored text is applicable.
General: Context should always be considered when deciding on colored text. Formal essays for instance, black font against white paper is conventional because high contrast makes for an easy read. Yellow font against white paper for a professional piece of writing would certainly not be advised due to such low contrast, making the text illegible. In different cases such as video presentations or informational pamphlets, color would be a choice worth considering.
Ask Yourself: Is colored text appropriate for the genre I am writing for?
General: Context should always be considered when deciding on colored text. Formal essays for instance, black font against white paper is conventional because high contrast makes for an easy read. Yellow font against white paper for a professional piece of writing would certainly not be advised due to such low contrast, making the text illegible. In different cases such as video presentations or informational pamphlets, color would be a choice worth considering.
Ask Yourself: Is colored text appropriate for the genre I am writing for?
Audience
The audience for this this medical journal would likely be those interested in the field of psychiatry or even those who have an interest in memory and aging. The colored text certainly acts to adorn and give vibrance to the article, as opposed to an ordinary black and white document. This suggests that the author made this rhetorical choice in order to capture the audience's attention.
General: To help you make your decision about incorporating text, always consider your audience and infer what effect colored text would have on their impression.
Ask Yourself: Will colored text help capture my audience's attention? Or will it act as a distraction?
General: To help you make your decision about incorporating text, always consider your audience and infer what effect colored text would have on their impression.
Ask Yourself: Will colored text help capture my audience's attention? Or will it act as a distraction?
Purpose
The primary purpose of this article is to inform its audience of recent studies. The title is essentially what initially informs the audience of what the article is about, therefore highlighting the title with colored text was an effective choice. Although we see several different typefaces and fonts- the author's choice of integrating similar shades of color certainly unifies the text and the presentation.
General: Whatever a writer's primary purpose is, colored text functions as a stylistic choice for emphasis or embellishment. In order to decide whether or not colored text will reinforce your purpose, do keep in mind that what kind of attitudes are suggested by color.
Ask Yourself: Will colored text serve to support my purpose? Will it appropriately emphasize?
General: Whatever a writer's primary purpose is, colored text functions as a stylistic choice for emphasis or embellishment. In order to decide whether or not colored text will reinforce your purpose, do keep in mind that what kind of attitudes are suggested by color.
Ask Yourself: Will colored text serve to support my purpose? Will it appropriately emphasize?
Persona
The article is written by a professional and is published for a well established journal, there is a degree of formality. The author's choice of a subtle colored text, in this case, is a good choice. Rather than choosing a color that distracts the audience, the author's choice gives the article a simple and clean look.
General: Consider how you would like to portray yourself through your text. Keep in mind that colored text, when over-used, can potentially do more harm than good. Remember that balance is important.
Ask Yourself: Will subtle/neutral or bold/vibrant colors serve to support my persona? Am I going for a simple and clean look, do I plan to be more extravagant, or something in between?
General: Consider how you would like to portray yourself through your text. Keep in mind that colored text, when over-used, can potentially do more harm than good. Remember that balance is important.
Ask Yourself: Will subtle/neutral or bold/vibrant colors serve to support my persona? Am I going for a simple and clean look, do I plan to be more extravagant, or something in between?