Levels of Technicality Before you begin to write, you must analyze your reader(s)

Identify Levels of Technicality Who will use the document? At what level of technicality? How much do these users need? Experts Just the facts and figures Informed persons Facts and figures explained Laypersons Facts and figures explained in simplest terms Highly Technical Semi technical Non technical

Who are the intended readers? Highly technical documents are intended for expert readers (such as doctors, lawyers, technologists) who need only the facts and figures. No need to define technical terms No need to interpret results of tests or experiments No need to explain abbreviations No need to give background information

Who are the intended readers? Semi-technical documents are intended for informed readers (such as medical students, law students, technicians, mechanics) with some training in the field, and some background knowledge. Need to have some additional explanation or interpretation of facts and figures Need to write at the lowest level of understanding for such a group Better to explain too much than too little

Who are the intended readers? Non-technical documents are intended for lay persons (ordinary citizens) who have no special training in the field, and little background knowledge. Need to have facts and figures translated into everyday language that they can understand. Need only enough explanation to understand the basics, or to make a decision. Need to have a document that is clear to them in one reading.

Who are the intended readers? Secondary Readers Primary Readers Those who requested the document Those who will use the document as a basis for decisions or actions Those who will carry out the project Those who will advise the primary readers about their decision Those who will be affected by the decision

Who are the intended readers? Secondary Readers Primary Readers They will require highly technical messages They will require semi- technical or non-technical messages

To tailor a document for these kinds of readers? If the document is two pages or less, like a memo or letter: If the document is long, write it for the primary readers, and then: Rewrite it a different levels for different readers Provide appendices for secondary readers Write a letter of transmittal Write an abstract Give a glossary (definitions of special terms)