Dual Coding: Combine Words and Visuals Without Overload
Reviewed byMedical & Pedagogical Advisory Team
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes based on peer-reviewed research and does not replace professional medical or diagnostic advice.
A clear diagram can make a hard idea easier, but too many images, colours, labels, or text blocks create confusion. Here is how to combine words and visuals with purpose.
What the research says
Dual coding combines verbal information with a visual representation, for example drawing a process and explaining it in words. Visuals should support the meaning of the material rather than distract from it.
How to do it, step by step
A visual beats a paragraph when the idea has a sequence, a structure, or a comparison. For a process diagram, draw three to five boxes with arrows, one short label each, then explain the arrows aloud.
Pair a definition with one image that shows its meaning, not just its topic. Remove decorative clip art, extra colours, and labels the learner does not need.
Practical checklist
✓ Visual shows meaning, not decoration
✓ Five boxes or fewer
✓ Short labels only
✓ Diagram explained in words
Evidence & sources
Peer-reviewed research this article is based on.
Teaching the Science of Learning
Yana Weinstein, Christopher R. Madan, Megan A. Sumeracki · Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications · 2018