Document Development Strategy Customized & Workplace Training AAI/Portland Community College Facilitated by George Knox

Perception  Studies show that we all have preferred “perceptual styles”  Presenter’s preferences may be different than audience’s  Effective perception combines styles

Perceptual Styles (Adapted from Dunn and Dunn Learning Styles Model) Auditory Focuses on what is heard Remembers 75% heard Distracted by note-taking Visual Focuses on what is seen Remembers 75% seen Summarizes with notes Tactile Focuses on what is touched and manipulated Remembers by touching Takes both traditional and visual notes Kinesthetic Focuses on moving within contextual environment Remembers by doing Distracted by note-taking

Perceptual Styles (Cont.)  Perceptual styles are only preferences  Most people utilize more than one style  Most people can learn to use different styles SO  Recognize your preference, but learn to use the style(s) that work best for each situation  Prepare your documents with audience’s perceptual styles (multiple) in mind

Document Development  P.A.T. –Purpose –Audience –Technique  Purpose and Audience Determine Technique!

Purpose  Topic –Subject Matter –Primary and Secondary Content  Goals –Inform, persuade, respond, record, cite, entertain, or combination –Priority of goals  Requirements/Restrictions –Schedule (Drafts, revisions, deadlines) –Budget/Materials –Delivery

Audience  Who? Multiple audiences?  Expectations –Format/Style –Context of use –Level of understanding –Language –Graphics  Requirements/Restrictions –Schedule (Drafts, revisions, deadlines) –Budget/Materials –Delivery

Technique  Format  Business/technical style  Document design  Publishing requirements  Quality control

Business Writing Activity #1 Begin a document analysis by reviewing Purpose and Audience for three documents you commonly write. Use the activity sheet on page 9 of the workbook.