TECHNICAL WRITING November 16 th, 2012. Today Effective visuals. Work on Assignment 6

TECHNICAL WRITINGNovember 16th , 2012

Today• Effective visuals.

• Work on Assignment 6

Effective visuals• We have talked about format:

• Again

• And again

• And again…

This class is just a reminder to always maintain a clear, easy-to-follow layout for your documents.

Effective design

If a document looks like this:

- The readers will think that this work is too complex and they won’t read it.

- A visually appealing document helps your company’s reputation and your own.

3 Rules to Effective Design

1.Keep it simple. - Don’t try to impress your reader with visual effects.

2.Make it clear. -Include heads, bulleted lists, numbered steps, etc. to make your message easy to understand.

3.Have it flow. - Help your readers get through and understand your document easily.

A Few Tips

Don’t be afraid of white space.

- Double-spacing between paragraphs.

- Spacing between headings and paragraphs.

- Providing adequate space around visuals.

A Few Tips

Don’t be afraid of white space. - Double-spacing between paragraphs. - Spacing between headings and paragraphs. - Providing adequate space around visuals.

A Few Tips

Change font size for certain functions.

Title (22 point)

Headings (14 point)

Content/paragraphs (12 point)

Footnotes/endnotes (8 point)

A Few Tips

Headings and subheadings: parallel.

A Few Tips

Color.

Color in documents can be used for:

- Borders

- Headings

- Keywords

- Internet addresses

- Graphic accents (backgrounds or graphics)

- Info boxes

A Few Tips

Color

IF you use color:

- Make sure colors contrast with the background.

- No more than 2 - 3 colors on a page.

- Use “cool” colors.

Visuals

- Pictures, diagrams, figures (tables and charts)

IMPORTANT:

Visuals work in conjunction with your writing to inform, illustrate, and persuade.

Visuals

Reasons to use visuals:

1.Visuals arouse readers’ immediate interest.

2.Visuals increase readers’ understanding by simplifying concepts.

3.Visuals are especially important for non-native speakers of English

and multicultural audiences.

4.Visuals emphasize key relationships.

5.Visuals condense and summarize a large quantity of information into

a relatively small space.

6.Visuals are highly persuasive.

Visuals

The most important function of visuals is to help the reader understand your work.

Choosing Effective Visuals

1. Include visuals only when they are relevant for your purpose and audience.

- Visuals are not decorations.

i.e., a report workplace safety does not need a picture of a doctor.


2. Use visuals in conjunction with – not as a substitute for – written work.

- Visuals are not substitutes for words.

- You may need to explain the info in visuals.


3. Experiment with several visuals

- Use the visual that best represents your information.

or


4. Always use easy-to-read and relevant visuals

- If the reader can’t understand the visual, it’s useless.

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5. Consider how your visuals will look on the page.

- Make sure it fits the page.- Make sure it’s readable.


6. Be prepared to revise and edit your visuals.

- May have to change size, labels, colors, etc.

Inserting Visuals into Documents

1. Insert your visuals appropriately.

- Never insert a visual before a discussion of it.

- (Try to) place visuals close to where they are mentioned.

- Size visuals appropriately.


2. Always mention in the text that you are including a visual.

- Tell the readers where it can be found and refer to it.

Inserting Visuals into Documents2. Always mention in the text that you are including a visual.

i.e., “the figure below illustrates the Q1 profits of 2007.”

“the figure on the following page shows recent consumer trends.”

“the diagram to the right demonstrates the part of a 6-cylinder

engine.”

“the table on the bottom of page 3 summarizes the costs associated

with the change”


3. Center the visual.

- If necessary, also “box” the visual.


4. Never collect all visuals and put them in an appendix.

Appendix = section after the main document.

- Visuals are meant to help here and now.

- If reader has to go to the appendix to look at the visual, he/she will get frustrated.

Visuals

Two types:

Tables: arrange information – numbers and/or words – in parallel columns or rows for easy comparison of data.

Figures: include graphs, circle charts, bar charts, organizational chars, flow charts, pictographs, maps, photographs, and drawings.

Assignment 6Write an internal proposal, recommending Keimyung University to:

a) Hire more faculty, student workers, or office help.

b) Increase the number of online classes in your major.

c) Open a new, health conscious cafeteria on campus.

d) Purchase new classroom equipment or software.

e) Train employers about discrimination (i.e., race, age, sex, culture, looks, etc.)

Assignment 6

With a partner:

- Choose a topic.

- Brainstorm information together.

- Create research results together.

Write SEPARATE proposals.