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Section 1.4.4

Document Density

Document density refers to the amount, type, detail, complexity, and rate of information presented to the reader. The density appropriate to any document is determined by its audience and the ways in which the audience will use it. Matching the density of information to your audience is crucial for the success of any technical document. The following table presents some general guidelines.

Guidelines for Document Density

Feature of Document Expert Managerial Layperson
Introductions Technical Problem/solution Relevance
Math models OK Avoid Avoid
Equations OK Keep simple or avoid Avoid
Graphics Detailed, analytical Simple, presentational General illustrative
Detail level Accurate, numerical General, accurate Simple, narrative
Technical terms Expert, technical Administrative General, illustrative
Emphasis Analysis Operations, costs Informational, interest

See Examples of Document Density.

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## Document Density ##
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