Studies of typographical factors influencing speed of reading. VIII. Space between lines or leading

Abstract

A special arrangement of the Chapman-Cook Speed of Reading Test was employed and shown to yield equivalent scores on Forms A and B. Thus varying amounts of leading could be inserted in Form B, and scores on B compared with performance on Form A, set solid. 400 college students were used, none of whom had previously taken the tests. It was found that: 1-point leading does not facilitate speed of reading as compared with text set solid; 2-point leading facilitates speed of reading by 7.5%; 4-point leading facilitates speed of reading by 5%. 10-point type and 19-pica line width were employed as printing specifications, and it may be that the advantage of two-point leading may hold only for this size of type and width of line. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)