Use Techniques to Guide Your Reader

You have looked at two texts that guide readers—the laundry instructions and the fire safety document. Following are some points that highlight the differences between the two texts.

• Readers need a framework for understanding. Setting expectations helps readers develop the intended framework.
• Our minds naturally seek to order information to help us remember it. Providing the order or pattern of grouping the information will give readers the categories needed for retention.
• People look for information to be arranged into hierarchical patterns. These hierarchies show how ideas in a text are related to each other. For example, major ideas are given great visual prominence, and minor ones are given less prominence.

These principles are in line with what Bank managers said they require. In addition to analytical soundness, they want to see the bottom line on top and clear recommendations. The structure and style should support the content of the report.