{"id":936,"date":"2016-10-03T21:24:51","date_gmt":"2016-10-04T01:24:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/techrhet.com\/3213\/?page_id=936"},"modified":"2016-10-03T21:24:51","modified_gmt":"2016-10-04T01:24:51","slug":"hats-a-design-procedure-for-routine-business-documents","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/techrhet.com\/3213\/hats-a-design-procedure-for-routine-business-documents\/","title":{"rendered":"HATS: A Design Procedure for Routine Business Documents"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/a>H.A.T.S.: overview<\/a><\/a> | headings<\/a> | access<\/a> | typography<\/a> | space<\/a> | summary<\/a> | final<\/a><\/div>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Information based on and adapted from Baker, William H. "HATS: A Design Procedure for Routine Business Documents." Business Communication Quarterly <\/em>64.2 (2001): 65-76.<\/div>\n
\"\"<\/div>\n

Overview<\/h4>\n

One of the most common mistaken notions novice professional writers hold is the idea that readers will approach their writing chronologically, reading the entire document from beginning to end. <\/p>\n

In professional arenas, audiences are comprised of different readers, different needs, and different approaches to reading. Upper management may read documents for conclusions and recommendations, accountants may read documents for the budget sections, and lawyers may read documents for the backgrounds and methods. Because professional contexts have various audiences with various needs and interests, professional writers must create documents that are easy to navigate, easy to understand, and serve the needs of all potential audiences. These documents are sometimes known as “modular documents.”<\/p>\n

Professional writers can use "HATS" to create modular documents that are easy to navigate, access, and understand. While we’re familiar with making documents rhetorically<\/em> effective, HATS is a set of considerations for making documents visually<\/em> effective. <\/p>\n

<\/span><\/p>\n

Headings<\/h4>\n

Headings are navigation signposts that guide readers through documents and preview forthcoming information. Headings should be ADEQUATE in number\/frequency to serve as landmarks of current and forthcoming content. Headings should be organized HIERARCHICALLY, using typeface, size, style, and alignment to show different levels of importance, specificity, and relationships. <\/p>\n

For additional explanations and examples, check out the following links<\/p>\n