Formatting enhances your business writing. Most of us don’t have time to read in depth – we’re used to scanning on the Web, so we scan business writing too.

Everything you can do to shorten the time spent reading a report or other long documentation will be appreciated.

Format to help the reader comprehend your main points

Divide your document into clear sections, and use an introduction as a summary, or include an abstract.

Within the document itself, use headlines, call-outs, headings and sub-headings. Ideally, the headings are a summary outline of your document.

White space is vital to make your work inviting.

Graphics should support your document and add to its meaning. Before adding a graphic, ask yourself WHY it’s in the document. For example, if your company has just brought out a new product line, a photo of the product adds to the reader’s comprehension. A stock photo of a smiling woman, probably doesn’t.

[tags]business writing, formatting, sections, graphics[/tags]

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