Writing for the Workplace: Business Communication for Professionals
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| Print Document Design Writing fora printed page differs from writing fora screen not just in the words we write but in the way the words look on the page. This is called page layout . You are probably aware of certain elements of page layout without knowing it. For example, use of columns and choice of landscape or portrait view are part of page layout. When composing a document that will be printed, first consider page size. Is your document for standard sized paper (8.5 × 11 in) or smaller If you are creating a trifold brochure, for example, you will belaying out the words very differently than if you are writing a report. In both cases, however, consider the z pattern. The z pattern (see Figure 2.1) is the way readers of English approach a page. Our eye begins at the top left of the page and scans to the right, going back and forth, left to right, until we reach the bottom. This pattern is significant because words or images that fall along the z hold the eye’s attention more than the areas surrounding 20 WRITING FOR THE WORKPLACE the z. Savvy writers will put words and images they want the reader to focus on along this path. Elements of Page Layout Each page contains design elements you will want to consider as follows. Color Although black is always the preferred color for body type, some color can add visual interest to print pages. Color can be used for document headings, in charts and graphs, or as ways to highlight information. Avoid using bright colors for type and understand that the way a color appears on the screen will likely differ from its reproduction on the printed page. Also remember that you will need a color printer for your color scheme to show! Graphical Elements Adding graphical elements to your documents such as boldface, bullets, enumeration, italics, or underlining serve varied functions. Boldface calls attention to words and phrases. It is commonly used for headings and sparingly used to highlight words or phrases. Bulleted points are used to list items and to attract the reader’s eye. Bulleted points breakup text, too. Enumeration (listing items 1., 2., 3., etc) is used to indicate a series in order. Italics are used for emphasis, to indicate a word in a different language, for proper names, and for titles. Underlining can indicate a title or emphasis. Reader begins Reader ends Download 3.09 Mb. Share with your friends:
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