MEDIA LITERACY : DECODING LEGAL AND GOVERNMENTAL FORMS – Flashcards

What does the term "typographical features" mean? the use of boldface type, italics, underlining, and alignment the use of multiple colors, fonts, and other visual elements the addition of white space around important sections the use of graphics, such as boxes around selected information

Analyze the document below and answer the question that follows. / Image courtesy of the US Census Bureau How would you describe the structure of this document? fill-in-the-blank form sequenced instructions essay style magazine layout

Anaylze the excerpted form below and answer the question that follows. / Image courtesty of the US Census Bureau This excerpt is from the Application for Search of Census Records. Where can a person who wants to perform more than one search find out how much it will cost? in section 3 in sections 4 and 5 in the box at the top of the page in the introductory section of the application

Analyze the screenshot from the website below and answer the question that follows. / Source: "Before You Begin: Local History and Genealogy Reading Room." Local History and Genealogy Reading Room. Library of Congress, 8 Mar. 2011. Web. 1 Aug. 2011. How would you describe the organization of this excerpt from the Library of Congress? chronological order order of importance from most to least important order of importance from least to most important spatial order

Read the excerpt below and answer the question that follows. Before March 1, 1989, the use of copyright notice was mandatory on all published works. Omitting the notice on any work first published before that date could have resulted in the loss of copyright protection if corrective steps were not taken within a certain amount of time. Source: United States. Copyright Office. "Copyright Notice." Circular 3. Washington, DC: Library of Congress, 2010. Print. This excerpt is from "Copyright Notice," an article found in Circular 3, a publication of the United States Copyright Office. What is the meaning of the word "mandatory" in the sentence above? useful optional required expensive

Read the excerpt below from the article "Tsunami Zone" and answer the question that follows. / Source: "Tsunami Zone." Tsunami Ready. National Weather Service, 15 June 2011. Web. 1 Aug. 2011. How can you determine the meaning of the word "imminent" in the first section of this document? The antonym "potential" defines "imminent." The words "or expected" define "imminent." The phrase "flooding is possible" explains "imminent." No context clues are available.

Why should a consumer be careful in reading legal and government documents before signing them? It's required by law. They are binding legal agreements. It's good reading practice. You don't need to bother.

Analyze the excerpted form below and answer the question that follows. / Image courtesy of the US Internal Revenue Service This excerpt is from 2010 1040EZ Instructions (1040EZ is used for filing taxes in the US). What is the purpose of this section? to balance the layout of the document to draw the reader in and add interest to add visual interest to the document to help the reader fill out the form

Analyze the screenshot below from the US Geological Survey website and answer the question that follows. / Source: "Recent Kilauea Status Reports, Updates, and Information Releases." Hawaiian Volcano Observatory. US Geological Survey, 1 Aug. 2011. Web. 1 Aug. 2011. How does the design of this document assist the reader in finding desired information? The use of headings in boldface type leads the reader to specific information. Graphic details like shaded areas and boxes provide assistance. The use of numbers and bullets helps the reader find information quickly. The design is not effective in leading readers to information efficiently.

Analyze the excerpted form below and answer the question that follows. / Image courtesy of the US Internal Revenue Service This excerpt is from 2010 1040EZ Instructions (1040EZ is used for filing taxes in the US). What should taxpayers do first if they need to know about possible tax benefits or sources for more information? They should look for the box with the word "Tip." They should call their local IRS agent. They should go online to irs.gov. They should ask friends or neighbors for advice.