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How do I select type hierarchy levels for a long-form article?
Asked on Nov 04, 2025
Answer
Selecting type hierarchy levels for a long-form article involves establishing a clear visual structure that guides readers through the content. This process uses typographic scale, weight, and spacing to differentiate between headings, subheadings, body text, and other elements.
Example Technique:
- Step 1 – Choose a primary typeface for body text that is highly readable, such as a serif or sans-serif with clear letterforms.
- Step 2 – Define heading styles using a typographic scale, increasing size and weight for higher-level headings (e.g., H1, H2) and decreasing for subheadings.
- Step 3 – Use consistent spacing and alignment to ensure each level of hierarchy is distinct and maintains readability across the article.
Additional Comment:
- Consider using a modular scale to maintain consistent proportions between type sizes.
- Ensure sufficient contrast between text and background to enhance readability.
- Use italics or color sparingly to highlight key points without overwhelming the reader.
- Test the hierarchy on different devices to ensure it translates well across screen sizes.
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