lllustrations are often used in interactive media with the goal of enhancing information retrieval and learning. Yet prior work has shown that illustrations on a screen are not necessarily used effectively, and may not even be used at all. Two studies examined factors related to the successful use of illustrations. Study I contrasted three interaction styles. In one style, only text appeared when a term was selected. The second presented text as a caption. while the third revealed the text next

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... to the relevant portion of the illustration. The last style produced superior learning of both illustration-related and unrelated material. The caption condition was no better than the control. noillustration condition. Study 2 showed learning is just as effective if the user selects from a list and reads near the illustration, or selects from the illustration and reads a caption, suggesting that the most important factor is compelling users to direct their attention to the illustration.