How people read: strategies and approaches

Understand reading strategies like skimming and scanning to better inform document creation.

We don't read documents like stories.

Most documents are not stories, and they are not (and should not) be read that way. People read strategically.

5 assumptions about reading

When creating a document, assume most readers will:

1. Not read from start to finish
2. Not read every word
3. Skim first to decide to read
4. Return only for specific info
5. Read many other documents simultaneously

3 Reading Strategies

• Strategy 1: Comprehensive

  Reading from start to finish. Used for stories.

  Support: Logical structure, narrative arc.

• Strategy 2: Skimming

  Reading for gist. Jumping around.

  Support: Headings, TOC, Lists, Highlights.

• Strategy 3: Scanning

  Finding specific information.

  Support: Clickable TOC, Searchable text.