How fast can you read the following words?
Red Green Blue Yellow Purple Red Blue Yellow Purple
That wasn’t too difficult, right? Okay, now try it again:
Red Green Blue Yellow Purple Red Blue Yellow Purple
This was a bit more difficult, but it wasn’t too bad. So, how about saying the color that each word is printed in instead?
Blue Yellow Purple Red Green Red Blue Yellow Purple
Ahh, you’re slowing down now, aren’t you?
This exercise is based on the Stroop effect, which was named after the American psychologist who studied how varying factors can significantly affect reaction time. Though this phenomenon may not seem like anything more than an amusing gimmick, it has very serious implications when we apply it to a different scenario, say, reading an Emergency Shutdown procedure at a chemical refinery.
As hard as we work to have accurate information in research, procedures, manuals, and other documentation, content that is carefully vetted can quickly be overlooked if it isn’t shown in a way that complements or enhances it.
Comprehension comes from developing harmony between content and context, where each suits the other and neither competes for precedence. For example, reading a page‑long, single-spaced paragraph is considered cruel and unusual punishment in most circles; and a single-sentence caution statement written in bold, red caps can be equally brutal on readers’ eyes, deterring them from even attempting to read the statement.
Every reader needs stimuli to stay engaged and absorb meaning, but overstimulation does us no favors when we are trying to communicate with an audience.
With this in mind, see how fast you can read the words below (last time—I promise):
Red Green Blue Yellow Purple Blue Yellow Purple Red
When content and form align, we can achieve both speed and accuracy in comprehension, whether we are writing for a casual audience or if the preservation of equipment, health, and safety depends on i
