Chunking Content – Part 2

In Part 1 I discussed some of the benefits of chunking content and some of the challenges we face developing a layout for content. Today I am going to describe Information Types. One of the most challenging tasks of communicating is to identify the specific content your users needs. That is, what questions are your users trying to answer as they navigate through the content? Information Types categorize key technical and business information according to the purpose of the communication, from the user’s perspective. Information types should also have specific formatting and presentation guidelines.

Information Types

Nearly all business and technical communication can be classified into six major information types or categories, which are based on the purpose of the information for the user.

• Principal – a statement designed to guide behavior
• Process – series of events
• Procedure – set of steps a user needs to perform to complete task
• Concept – a general idea to defines a class or group
• Structure – contains parts and boundaries
• Fact – a statement that is true

Principal
Use this type when it looks like fact, prerequisite or criteria. This allows users to understand what is required.
Example:
Do not use the chair within 24 hours of gluing.
Use only all natural wood polish for the best shine.

Process
This type shows how things work, conditions, results. The entire perspective on a situation or issue. The who, what, when, where, why and how.

Example:
To understand how it happens, not how to do it. Use for diverse audience, different needs.

Procedure
This type is used to give detailed instructions when the user needs to know how to do something or when and how to make a decision. An active language that instructs the reader similar to a step action table.

Example:

STEP	ACTION
1	Start here. Note: additional text. IF THEN True Do this False Do that
2	Click Import
3	Click OK

Concept
This type is used when we have the need to define a new term/idea. When we need to describe why or what something is and how to recognize multiple instances.

Example:
Definitions
Critical attributes

Structure
This type describes to the user what something looks like including identification of its individual parts.

Example:
Illustration
Conceivably a drawn picture of

Fact
This type is used when we need to communicate results, decisions specifications or research data.

Information types are useful if you don’t have source materials. It helps to flush out and reveal gaps.

Today we reviewed six of the most commenly used Informaation Types and how they are used. This also included a brief defination and a few examples. In Part 3 we will discuss the four Design Principles.

• Chunking
• Labeling
• Relevance
• Consistenacy

Design Principals provide a set of guidelines for the writers so the content they develop is structured and organized effectivly for the user.

Explore posts in the same categories: Writing