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3. INFORMATION DESIGN

Information design is the “nuts and bolts” of technical writing. No matter how brilliant or important the content, if it is not formatted and presented in way that enhances readability, it will likely not receive the attention it deserves. This section includes the information on how technical writers use formatting features to optimize readability and enhance effectiveness of their messages.

Chapter 3 Learning Objectives

This chapter covers the following topics:

3.1  Readability: Understand the importance of “readability” to your technical audience, and what that looks like in technical communication.

3.2  Headings and Lists: Understand how to use headings and lists to organize information logically, emphasize key information, and facilitate comprehension and accessibility for the reader.

3.3  Figures and Tables: Understand how to integrate various kinds of figures and tables into documents to effectively present visual data and illustrative images.

3.4 Visual Rhetoric: Understand how to apply principles of visual design to enhance the persuasiveness of your communication.

3.5 Revision Strategies: Apply revision strategies to enhance clarity and readability.

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Technical Writing Essentials (Expanded 2nd edition) Copyright © 2026 by Suzan Last is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.