Anatomy of TypeAnne Metcalf

Objective Students will be able to recognize the

characteristics that distinguishes one typeface from another: Baseline Cap height x-height Ascender Descender

Utah Desktop Publishing Core, Grades 8-12, Standard 04, Objective 0402

Anticipatory Set

We are surrounded by typefaces: in magazines, newspapers, books, and billboards.

How are typefaces similar and how are they different?

Teaching—Baseline

Baseline is the invisible line upon which type sits.

Teaching—Cap Height

Cap height is the height of the capital letters.

Teaching—x-height The x-height is the distance between the baseline

of a line of type and tops of the main body of lower case letters (i.e. excluding ascenders and descenders).

Teaching—x-height continued

Typefaces of the same point size may have different x-height. These are the same point size.

Teaching—Ascender

Ascenders are the strokes that rise above

the x-height.

Teaching—Descender

Descenders are the strokes that dip below the baseline.

What is this?

a. the baseline

b. the cap height

c. the x-height

d. ascenders

e. descenders

What is this?

a. the baseline

b. the cap height

c. the x-height

d. ascenders

e. descenders

What is this?

a. the baseline

b. the cap height

c. the x-height

d. ascenders

e. descenders

What is this?

a. the baseline

b. the cap height

c. the x-height

d. ascenders

e. descenders

What is this?

a. the baseline

b. the cap height

c. the x-height

d. ascenders

e. descenders

Guided Practice Draw the baseline Draw a line

showing the cap height

Shade in the area of the x-height

Label any ascenders and descenders

“I think and thinkfor monthsand years.

Ninety-nine times,the conclusion is false.

The hundredth time I am right.”

Albert Einstein*Students will mark their own handout.

Closure You have learned how to recognize the

characteristics that distinguishes one typeface from another: Baseline Cap height x-height Ascender Descender

Independent Practice Find a typeface for each of the following

descriptions: A typeface that does not follow a straight baseline. A typeface that has a high cap height in relationship to its

x-height. A typeface that has a large x-height in relationship to its

cap height. A typeface that has simple, straight ascenders. A typeface that has elaborate, curved descenders.

Good Job!

The arrow is pointing to the baseline.

Good Job!

The arrows are pointing to

the cap height of the “G” and the “B.”

Good Job!

The blue area is the x-height

Good Job!

The arrows are points to

the ascending strokes

on the “t” and the “h.”

Good Job!

The arrows are pointing to

the descending strokes

on the “y” and the “p.”

Sorry, try again.