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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

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

8. 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)