A different way to look at information
At the core of the DocuTools™ Writing System is the Structured Writing Method.
The Structured Writing Method guides authors as they write, helping to answer questions like:
- Exactly who am I writing this document for and how will they use the information on the job?
- What is the ideal way to organize and sequence the information for my target audience?
- How should I break down and label the information so it is easy to navigate, scan and refer back to?
- What makes a procedure really clear and easy to follow?
- How should I separate my step-by-step instructions from other kinds of information, like policies, concepts and definitions?
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Proven techniques, principles and standards for effective writing
At the heart of The Method are rules, guidelines and standards for analyzing and developing information.
Here's a preview:
The "7 Information Types"
Effective writing requires identifying the types of information needed in your document and treating
them accordingly. The 7 Information Types of structured writing are:
- Procedure
- Process
- Principle
- Concept
- Fact
- Illustration
- Classification
The Document Development Process
The DocuTools™ Writing System follows a trusted development process for authoring and testing documents.
The "7 Principles"
Authors using the DocuTools™ Writing System help ensure a high-quality doucment by adhering to
the Method's 7 Principles, listed below.
Principle |
Description |
| ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... |
Sequencing |
How to logically organize content to facilitate comprehension and learning. |
| ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... |
Accessible detail |
How to include the detail readers need when and where they need it |
| ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... |
Chunking |
How to break down information into small, manageable units |
| ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... |
Labeling |
How to create labels that are meaningful, predictive and succint |
| ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... |
Relevance |
How to group or separate information based on their similarities or differences |
| ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... |
Consistency |
How to maintain the same terms, formats and organizational structure |
| ..................................................................................................................................................................................................... |
Functional graphics |
When and how to incorporate graphics in your document |
The Results :: 40 years of research findings and client feedback
Benefits to authors
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Increase in writer productivity |
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Decrease in document maintenance time |
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Decrease in development time |
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Benefits to readers
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Increase in learning and comprehension |
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Increase in retrieval accuracy |
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Decrease in reading time |
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