Screenreaders reading lots of "blank" lines?

Hi everyone,

I am building a course in storyline 360. Screenreaders are reading alot of 'blank' lines when tested with NVDA and JAWS. It happens in two main areas of the course:  text blocks and a scrolling text screen.

I think I know what is causing this but I am seeking validation. I think that it has to do with the size around the text box and setting that to zero?  Making sure the paragraph spacing is zero after.  The scrolling text it seems like it is the same but making sure that there are no carriage returns below the text.

Am I on base or off base with this?!  

Thank you!