A good document is equipped with effective writing and appropriate design elements. According to Putnis, P and Petelin, R (1996), there is no right or wrong writing but there is only the most effective writing for a given situation and readership (Putnis, P & Petelin, R 1996, p.15). Basically, a document is seen as effective if it is connected with the primary conventions and principles of writing. For instance, Rothman, S (2005) has stated the factors of making good scientific and technical writing. He opined that a good technical and scientific writing should not impart with symbolic interpretations. Furthermore, he also asserted that technical writing should be precise and consists of all relevant details, while an effective scientific writing has to include the analysis of argument and experimental evidence.
Besides good and effective writing, appropriate design elements also need to be taken into consideration in producing a good document. According to Reep, D (2006), design features in a document can gain the reader interest and lead the readers to remember the important sections. Written cues, white space, colour and typographic are four types of format elements that help the readers to preserve notable information in a good document (Reep, D 2006, p.23).
Group presentation slide
Individual presentation slide
For instance, I use capital letters and boldface for heading in my group presentation slide to attract the readers. Conversely, in individual presentation slide, I apply upper and lowercase letter and do not use boldface for headings. Thus, the heading is not outstanding in grabbing the reader’s attention. Therefore, I would like to change the headings in the individual presentation slide to capital letters and boldface the headings to attract the reader’s attention.
Moreover, Putnis, P and Petelin, R (1996) declared that a good document design can help the readers to read well besides emphasizing the significant topic (Putnis, P & Petelin, R 1996, p.33). For instance, Nielsen, J (1997) has proclaimed an example in designing a webpage. He stated that webpage has to utilize scannable text and the design elements have to be simple and direct. Therefore, it is easier for the readers to read and understand it.
In conclusion, a document designer must always remember to balance visual and text, avoids using two typefaces and makes sure there is white space and appropriate written cues are inserted in designing a document
References:
1. Bastoky Design, n.d., Fundamentals of Document Design, viewed 5 April 2009,
2. Nielsen, J 1997, Reading on the Web (Alertbox), viewed 5 April 2009, <www.useit.com/alertbox/9710a.html>
3. Putnis, P & Petelin, R 1996, Professional communication: principles and applications, Prentice Hall, Sydney.
4. Reep, D 2006, Technical writing, 6th edn, Pearson Edu, Inc., New York.
5. Rothman, S 2005, What makes good scientific and technical writing? , viewed 5 April 2009, <http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/9447/error>
