Graphology

Question 1

What is graphology?

Answer 1

The term is derived from Ancient Greek ‘graphe’ meaning ‘writing’. In English Language and Linguistics, graphology is the study of the visual elements of language and communication in texts - symbols and signs. A grapheme is the smallest meaningful unit in the writing system of a language, such as letters.

Question 2

Typographic Alignment

Answer 2

Refers to the way text is placed on the page, also known as type justification.

Question 3

Typography

Answer 3

Typography is the word we use when we’re discussing fonts.

Question 4

Font colour

Answer 4

Refers to the colour, shade and hue of fonts.

Question 5

Font size/Point size

Answer 5

Refers to the height and width of a font.

Question 6

Serif fonts

Answer 6

Fonts that have little flicks on the ends of letters

Question 7

Sans serif fonts

Answer 7

Fonts that do not have little flicks on the ends of letters

Question 8

Layout

Answer 8

There’s only a finite amount of room in any given text, so we have to think carefully about how to place everything on the page. Different genres and text types might have layout conventions, such as whether the title is positioned at the top, middle or bottom of a page.

Question 9

Icon

Answer 9

Resembles what it represents. For example, a car in a car advert represents a car - it is what it is, so it’s an icon

Question 10

Index

Answer 10

Points to something else, almost like a cause and effect relationship. For example, a picture of an umbrella might be used to represent rain.

Question 11

Symbol

Answer 11

More abstract. There isn’t necessarily a literal connection between the symbol and what it represents. A symbol can be removed from context and still be recognisable as representing its signified meaning. For example, the Golden Arches are a symbol that represents McDonald’s

Question 12

Spelling

Answer 12

Refers to the set of standardised rules that govern the construction of words in written language. Cat must be spelt C-A-T, not K-A-T or T-A-C.

Question 13

Punctuation

Answer 13

Set of symbols we use to break up a piece of text, making it easier to read and to convey information to the reader that would otherwise be lost as a result of the restrictions of written language.

Question 14

Capitalisation

Answer 14

Use of upper case and lower case letters. They allow us to distinguish proper nouns from common nouns, and should be used at the beginning of a new sentence following a full stop

Question 15

Orthography

Answer 15

The word we use when we’re discussing punctuation, capitalisation and spelling