Comments on: How to write descriptive headings

By: lesleyhanes

lesleyhanes — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 02:47:26 +0000

In reply to sandra folk. Paul's two-part heading was a solution to the constraints of a template that had pre-set headings which weren't descriptive. A workaround rather than how he would do them if he could. I agree that if you can encapsulate your message or ideas succinctly in a heading then it is a good thing to do. I guess a lot depends on the context, audience, and medium, and layout options.

By: sandra folk

sandra folk — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 02:08:04 +0000

I agree that using two part headings, which act like sign posts along the way when trying to find one’s way when traveling are an excellent way to help readers navigate a document so they are able to understand what is it written. However, I think if the the author is able to effectively hone in on the ideas he/she wishes to explicate for the reader, the headings could be made shorter and grab the reader’s attention more readily.

By: lesleyhanes

lesleyhanes — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 22:42:39 +0000

In reply to paul613. Oh I see. Sorry I misunderstood you. Still a good thing though :)

By: paul613

paul613 — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 22:40:13 +0000

In reply to lesleyhanes. Ah, Leslie, I see now that you were speaking of two-part headings, not two-part captions. I won't be allowed to program two-part headings of different styles.into the template. I should clarify: I'll write Heading 1 as two part, in the same phrase--something like, Approach: Do More With Less.

By: lesleyhanes

lesleyhanes — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 21:48:04 +0000

In reply to paul613. Wow. That's not only a clever workaround for the limitations of a template, but an excellent use of styles too. I'm sure these are solutions many people could adopt, so thanks for sharing.

By: paul613

paul613 — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 21:11:03 +0000

In reply to lesleyhanes.

Yes, my boss loves the two-part captions; part 2 is built into our template; Its actual name, as seen in the Styles pane, is
Caption Part 2 (¶¶ Action)

The ¶¶ reminds writers to click Style Separator (¶¶ in the Quick Action Toolbar) to make Part 2 continue in-line with Part 1 (“Caption”). Styled a bit lighter than Part 1, Part 2 won’t appear in the List of Exhibits, so writers can write it as long as they dare..

We seldom use Part 2, but it’s nice to know it’s there.

By: lesleyhanes

lesleyhanes — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 20:40:47 +0000

In reply to Maryland, USA. Hi. That's a great solution to the problem of preset headings that aren't descriptive. Well done. I wonder if they'd let you make part 2 part of the template?

By: Maryland, USA

Maryland, USA — Thu, 03 Dec 2015 14:18:10 +0000

Many proposal writers and managers won’t use descriptive titles for headings at Levels 1, 2, and 3; they slavishly parrot the dull, vague headings from the Request for Proposal. But when I can–that is, when “they” let me”–I use a two-part heading: Part 1 dull, Part 2 descriptive. I also use a one-part or two-part descriptive caption for every figure and table.