ABSTRACT
Much of the research which Rayner discusses involves complex and expensive eye-movement cameras or video equipment which is computer controlled and which sometimes is linked to very precise, computercontrolled stimulus displays. Fisher, however, offers an interesting and technologically very simple method of investigating perceptual span in reading, which suggests manipulating the format of the text. He suggests that information about word shapes and word boundaries beyond the foveal region is detected and can facilitate reading. Rayner supports this proposal with evidence that readers detect word shape and letter information up to twelve character spaces from the point fixated. Rayner and Fisher both argue that this peripheral information plays an important part
in guiding eye movements. It could, for example, enable readers to plan their next fixation to skip over a gap between words, or over a the, or perhaps to move to what looks like the next substantive word.
