How to Improve Subtitle Displays

Subtitles are an important part of any form of displayed media. Whether they're used in a computer presentation or as part of a film, subtitles can make or break a presentation depending on how accurately, informatively and attractively they're displayed.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Check your spelling. A misspelled word or phrase in a subtitle can make the whole presentation look unpolished and unprofessional. Look over every word of each subtitle to make sure it's spelled correctly. Use a spell-checking program on your computer to guarantee accuracy before finalizing the subtitle display.
2. Experiment with fonts. Using new or different fonts for subtitles is one way to make the display look appealing and fun. Try using fonts that coordinate with the subject of the film or presentation, like using Old English style fonts for a film set in the Middle Ages or a high-tech font style for a presentation that is based in science fiction or about aliens. Just make sure that the font is still functional and easy to read.
3. Monitor the timing sequence. It is important that each subtitle is timed to display simultaneously with the phrase it accompanies. Monitor timing sequences when you put together the subtitle display and make sure that all subtitles appear on the screen exactly when intended. A delayed subtitle will make the presentation confusing and difficult to understand.
4. Utilize grammatical devices. Try rhyming a few subtitles together or creating subtitles that use alliteration and consist of several words that all start with the same consonant sound.
5. Make subtitle displays fit the presentation. Make the subtitles for your film or presentation appropriate for the theme and age of the audience. If your subtitles are accompanying a children's display, use colored lettering or cartoon characters to make your subtitles fun. A presentation on a historical event would be better to suited to subtitles written in newsprint font, stark colors and short, bold sentences.