Introduction to Kerning

• Write a short phrase, such as "Take away meal" twice on a word processor and apply kerning on only one of the phrases. On Microsoft Word and OpenOffice Writer, the kerning option is located on the Font dialogue box and the Format Character dialogue box respectively. Print the phrases on a single sheet and make a copy for each student. Distribute the sheets in class and ask students to spot the difference. If they can't see the difference instantly, ask them to use their ruler to measure each phrase's length. Explain that the same phrase became shorter as a result of kerning.
  
  

Explaining Kerning

• Ask students to draw a straight line below the non-kerned phrase and across its length. Afterwards, instruct them to draw vertical lines that divide each pair of letters within a word. On the non-kerned phrase, there must be a vertical line between each pair of letters. Afterwards, ask students to do the same on the kerned phrase. Students will see that on certain points--such as in "ta" of take and "wa" of away--it's impossible to draw a vertical line that separates the two letters. Kerning reduces the space between letters whose shapes allow you to bring them closer, making the word more compact and easier to read.
  
  

Dangers of Kerning

• Kerning can make a text more compact and legible, but it can also render a word impossible to read or even alter it when the technique is used in a wrong way. Explain that the most common problem is when you bring the letters "r" and "n" too close to each other, where they end up looking like a single "m." Also, show words, such as "Take" and "WAR," where bringing two letters to close to each other--on these examples, "Ta" and "WA"--can isolate them from the rest of the word.
  
  

Kerning Exercise

• Print all uppercase and lowercase letters of the alphabet, using 72-point, bold Arial font. Make a copy for each student and distribute the sheets in class. Ask students to cut out the letters with a pair of scissors. Write one word on the board at a time and ask students to arrange the letters on their notebook page, using the kerning technique to create a uniform word.