Synopses & Reviews
INVESTIGATIONS IN THE HYGIENE OF READING BY JAMES HERBERT BLACKHURST BALTIMORE WARWICK YOttK INC. 1927 COPYRIGHT, 1927, BY WARWICK YORK, INC. PRINTED IN THE TTNITBI STATES OF AMERICA THE MAPLE PRESS COMPANY, YORK, PA. TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE INTRODUCTION 7 CHAPTER I. HISTOBICAL REVIEW 11 Experimentation 11 Reports of Committees 22 Analysis of Text-books 24 IL STATEMENT OF PROBLEM AND DISCUSSION OF METHOD .... 31 Statement of Problem 31 Discussion of Method 32 III. EXPEEIMENTATION 41 Introduction. 41 Size of Type 41 Discussion of Experimentation 42 Tables 42 Interpretation of Data 45 Length of Line. 47 Discussion of Experimentation 47 Tables 48 Interpretation of Data 50 Leading 52 Discussion of Experimentation . . 52 Tables 53 Interpretation of Data 55 Margin 57 Discussion of Experimentation 57 Tables .58 Interpretation of Data 58 IV. SUMMAET OP CONCLUSIONS 61 Size of Type 61 Length of Line 61 Leading, 61 Margin 61 BlBLIOQBAPHT 62 5 INVESTIGATIONS IN THE HYGIENE OF READING INTRODUCTION Educational science is revealing more and more the importance of the Art of Reading in all fields of mental activity. The average man now reads widely both for pleasure and information, while progress in all the professions depends directly upon it. This has had its effect upon the schools and to-day reading is the most fundamental subject in the elementary school cur riculum, for the child must now be trained to gather information rather than to memorize that which has already been prepared for his assimilation. Hence, reading has become the most important criterion in determining whether or not a child is prepared to advance. It is therefore, important that we should know just what are the most effectiveways of preparing the printed page so that the rpader may obtain the ideas presented there with the least expenditure of time and effort. Considering this, it seems little short of amazing that more has not been done by way of giving final and definite answers to the problems involved in 8 INVESTIGATIONS IN THE HYGIENE OF READING the hygiene of reading, first, that vision may not be impaired and, second, that efficiency may be increased. Reading is not a natural activity it is a highly arti ficial accompaniment of civilization. Hence, every advantage which modern science can devise should be brought into play in minimizing the sheer mechanical effort which is made in the process. Yet, little has been done by way of subjecting these considerations to definite experimentation. This study is limited to the first four grades. The reasons for this limitation are first, there is more variation in the typography of elementary readers in these than in readers of the upper grades and, second, the size and importance of the problem makes it advisable that we limit ourselves to a small portion of the field. It is impossible to express other than impersonally the writers obligation to the many friends whose kind ness has aided him in this study. It is possible to pay only inadequately the debt of gratitude due Professor Elmer E. Jones, Director of the School of Education, Northwestern University, also Professor L. W. Webb and Professor J. A. Clement, for the encouragement ajid constructive criticism given. It is a pleasure to acknowledge the thanks due Professor W. S. Gray of the University of Chicago and Professor C. T. Gray of the University of Texas for early inspiration in this field. Specialthanks are due Ernest E. Cole, First Assistant Superintendent of Schools of the City INTRODUCTION 9 of Chicago, J. R. Harper, Superintendent of Schools, Wilmette, Illinois and J. M. Scudder, Superintendent of Schools of Huntington, Indiana for their cooper ation in the matter of providing opportunity for experimentation...