Section 1.4.1.5

Writing for a Mixed Audience

Often a document will be read by readers with different levels of expertise. Computer documentation, for instance, may be written for experts who are familiar with all the hardware and software processes involved, technicians who will install and support the application, a manager who may be deciding whether or not to purchase the software, and laypersons who may occasionally use it.

Strategies for Writing to Mixed Audiences

• If appropriate, create separate documents for each audience type.
• Use an executive summary to present the gist of your document in understandable language.
• If many of your readers will not be experts or technicians, place all lengthy technical discussion in appendixes and refer to them in the main body.
• Segment the document into sections so that different audiences can read different parts.
• Include in the front matter or introduction a short discussion of what sections are appropriate to each type of reader and for what purposes.
• Explain all technical terms thoroughly in any section that may be read by a lay reader.
• Include an exhaustive glossary section explaining all technical terms in either the front matter or the end matter.

See Document Density.