Lesson Plan
Course Title:
Professional Communications
Session Title:
Type Classification and Selection
Lesson Duration: Approximately one 90-minute class period
[Lesson length is subjective and will vary from instructor to instructor]
Performance Objective: Upon completion of this assignment, the student will be able to
identify font formats and select type.
Specific Objectives:
1. Identify the anatomy of a character.
2. Define typeface classifications.
3. Identify common uses associated with typeface classifications.
4. List guidelines for selecting fonts.
Preparation
TEKS Correlations:
§130.99 (c)
(1) The student applies English language arts in professional communications projects. The
student is expected to:
(A) demonstrate use of content, technical concepts, and vocabulary.
(4)
The student applies information technology applications. The student is expected to use
personal information management, email, Internet, writing and publishing, presentation,
and spreadsheet or database applications for professional communications projects.
(10) The student develops an understanding of professional communications through
exploration of the career cluster. The student is expected to:
(J) apply desktop publishing to create products by:
(iii) applying typography concepts, including font, size, and style.
Instructor/Trainer
References:
1. Williams, Robert. (2008). The non-designer's design book. (3rd edition). San Francisco, CA:
Peachpit Press.
2. (2013). Society of Typographic Designers. Wikipedia. from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Society_of_Typographic_Designers
Instructional Aids:
1. Type Selection slide presentation
2. Font Flashcards
3. Font Flashcards Key
4. Font Flashcards slide presentation
5. Type Selection Quiz
6. Type Selection Quiz Key
AAVTC: Professional Communications – Type Classification and Selection
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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Materials Needed:
Copies of Type Selection Quiz. [For each student]
Equipment Needed:
1. Projection system to display slide presentation.
2. Class set of computers with page-layout or industry-standard, desktop publishing software.
Learner


Students should read be able to operate basic commands using an industry-standard,
desktop publishing software).
This lesson can be taught with only the slide presentation and worksheet handouts.
Introduction
MI
Introduction (LSI Quadrant I):
SAY:
In the Arts, AV Technology and Communications cluster, many careers
require knowledge of font types and the ability to select the most
appropriate font for the project. Knowing terminology of typefaces helps in
instances when a type selection needs to be made. Whether in the design
end or the preparation of fitting text in a specific area, knowing typefaces is
important.
ASK:
What would you do if a customer came to you wanting help with designing
a formal invitation? [Have customer look through a typeface book or at
some typeface samples. Assist by explaining the importance in choosing
the appropriate type.]
Outline
MI
Outline (LSI Quadrant II):
Instructor Notes:
I. Identify the anatomy of a character:
A. Body
B. Ascender
C. Ascender Line
D. Descender
E. Descender Line
F. Counter
G. Serifs
H. Cap height
I. Baseline
J. Mean line
K. X-height
Use the slide presentation to
review terms related to
typography and the anatomy
of type.
II. Define typeface classifications:
A. Roman
B. Serif
Students can access some of
the free font websites to look
at the multitude of font types
and styles. Caution students
AAVTC: Professional Communications – Type Classification and Selection
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
2
C.
D.
E.
F.
that the “fancy or decorative
ones” should be used
sparingly or only for impact
text such as headlines or
titles.
Sans Serif
Script
Decorative
Old English
III. Identify common uses associated with typeface
classifications:
A. Roman – used for formal documents
B. Serif – used for headlines
C. Sans Serif – perfect for body copy
D. Script – personalizes a document
E.
F.
Decorative – good for titles and accents
Old English – used for very formal
documents
Students can access some of
the free font websites to look
at the multitude of font types
and styles. Caution students
that the “fancy or decorative
ones” should be used
sparingly or only for impact
text such as headlines or
titles.
IV. List guidelines for selecting fonts:
A. Readable- large letters of text can be read
B. Legible-how quick a short body of text can be
recognized.
C. Text type should be 12 points and smaller.
D. Display type should be 14 points and larger.
Application
MI
Guided Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
Students identify different styles of type shown on the projector from the online.
Class discussion follows.
AAVTC: Professional Communications – Type Classification and Selection
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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MI
Independent Practice (LSI Quadrant III):
Students will use 10 different fonts – serif, sans serif, script, and decorative – to write
their names in a desktop publishing document.
Each font should be labeled according to typeface classification.
Summary
MI
Review (LSI Quadrants I and IV):
OPTION 1: Use font flashcards to informally test student knowledge of typeface
classifications.
OPTION 2: Use the Font Flashcards slide presentation to test student knowledge of
typeface classifications.
Evaluation
MI
Informal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III):
Teacher will monitor student progress during independent practice and provide
individual re-teach/redirection as needed.
MI
Formal Assessment (LSI Quadrant III, IV):
Administer a written test.
Extension
MI
Extension/Enrichment (LSI Quadrant IV):
Students can use this information and apply it to actual typesetting encounters
utilizing letter pairs or text selection, thus creating a professional appearance in their
type design.
Students can research and identify specific typefaces they want to download and
archive for future graphic design projects.
AAVTC: Professional Communications – Type Classification and Selection
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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Font Flashcards
Cut on the lines to create flashcards. Hold up the flashcards below and have students classify
each font as serif, sans serif, decorative, or script.
Sample 1
Sample 2
Sample 3
Sample 4
Sample 5
Sample 6
AAVTC: Professional Communications – Type Classification and Selection
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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Sample 7
Sample 8
Sample 9
Sample 10
Sample 11
Sample 12
Sample 13
Sample 14
AAVTC: Professional Communications – Type Classification and Selection
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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Sample 15
Sample 16
AAVTC: Professional Communications – Type Classification and Selection
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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Font Flashcards Key
Sample 1 – Sans Serif
Sample 2 – Decorative
Sample 3 – Serif
Sample 4 – Sans Serif
Sample 5 – Script
Sample 6 – Serif
Sample 7 – Decorative
Sample 8 – Script
Sample 9 – Sans Serif
Sample 10 – Serif
Sample 11 – Decorative
Sample 12 – Sans Serif
Sample 13 – Script
Sample 14 – Serif
Sample 15 – Decorative
Sample 16 – Script
AAVTC: Professional Communications – Type Classification and Selection
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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Student Name:
Date:
Type Selection
Quiz
Section 1
Match the following samples of text with the proper classifications:
1._____ Sample
a. Serif
2._____ Sample
b. San Serif
3._____ Sample
c. Decorative
4._____ Sample
d. Script
5._____ Sample
e. Old English
Section 2
6.
______ (True or False) The best classification of type for headlines is Serif.
7.
Display text should be _____ points or larger and type text should be _____ points and
smaller.
8.
9.
(True or False) The best classification of type for body copy is Serif.
(Circle one) Decorative type is best used for titles or body text.
10. Two considerations when choosing type is the
and
regards to how hard or easy it is to read.
AAVTC: Professional Communications – Type Classification and Selection
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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of the type in
Student Name:
Date:
Type Selection
Quiz KEY
Section 1
Match the following samples of text with the proper classifications:
1.__B__ Sample
a. Serif
2.__D__ Sample
b. San Serif
3.__A__ Sample
c. Decorative
4.__E__ Sample
d. Script
5.__C__ Sample
e. Old English
Section 2
6.
TRUE (True or False) The best classification of type for headlines is Serif.
7.
Display text should be __14__ points or larger and type text should be __12__ points and
smaller.
8.
FALSE (True or False) The best classification of type for body copy is Serif.
9.
(Circle one.) Decorative type is best used for titles or body text.
10. Two considerations when choosing type is the readability and legibility of the type in
regards to how hard or easy it is to read.
AAVTC: Professional Communications – Type Classification and Selection
Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2012. All rights reserved.
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