Final answer:
Renaissance Roman lettering is characterized by clarity, the contrast between uppercase and lowercase, and visible word separation and punctuation, seen in typefaces like Palladio and Garamond.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristics of the Renaissance Roman letter include a return to the clarity and legibility of classical Roman writing styles. This entailed the use of upper and lower-case letters, words separated by spaces, and the use of punctuation to indicate sentence structure—contrasting with the cursive scrawl of earlier periods. While this description aligns with the Carolingian reforms in handwriting, the Renaissance itself saw the development of lettering influenced by Humanism, a revival of Greco-Roman values which emphasized proportion, symmetry, and harmony. One can observe this impact in two notable typefaces from the Renaissance: Palladio and Garamond. Both fonts reflect the influence of ancient Roman inscriptions and Humanist aesthetics, with clean lines, legibility, and distinct characters, ultimately setting the foundation for modern typography.