The purpose of this chapter is to break from convention to untangle some of the confusion. Recent developments in cognitive load theory (Merriënboer and Sweller, 2005) restate the importance of decreasing content complexity to increase meaningful learning. In keeping with this goal, we share here a simplified view of media research, returning to a number of selected theories and guidelines considered worthy of attention. Given their observed application in a number
of settings they possess an arguable degree of merit.