Building a Solid Structure

Create a clear road map for your copy

by Ann Wylie, president, Wylie Communications Inc.

My favorite scene in the movie "High Fidelity" is when Rob Gordon (John Cusack) becomes so depressed over his failed love life that he decides to find solace in reorganizing his albums.

His nerdy pal Dick (Todd Louiso) is curious about the project. "Are you going to file them alphabetically?" Dick asks.

Nope, Rob answers.

"Chronologically?" Dick presses.

Nope, Rob replies.

"Not ..." Dick gasps.

"Yep," Rob says. "Autobiographically."

Then he'll have to remember, say, whom he was dating in the summer of 1977 to find Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours."

When it comes to albums, the right organizing structure can help you navigate your collection efficiently. The same thing's true with organizing your copy: The more appropriate the structural concept, the easier it is for your readers to make their way through your copy.

Choose the best structure for your topic

So what's the best way to organize your copy?

That depends on your topic. In designing the shape of your copy, as in designing so many things, form usually should follow function. That's why I like what architect-turned-information guru Richard Saul Wurman has to say about structure.

Wurman uses the acronym LATCH to demonstrate how to organize information. "There are only five ways to do it," he says. By:

Location
Alphabet
Time
Category
Hierarchy

So choose the approach that makes the most sense for your topic.

Take note: "Autobiography" is not on the list.

Need more techniques for creating a structure that makes your copy easier to read and write? Check out Ann's workshops and learning tools.

About the author

Ann Wylie runs a company called Wylie Communications Inc. Ann works with communicators who want to reach more readers and with organizations that want to get the word out. To learn more about her training, consulting or writing and editing services, call Ann at 816/997-8753 or e-mail her at ann@wyliecomm.com. Get a FREE subscription to Ann's e-mail newsletter at http://www.wyliecomm.com/newsletter_signup.shtml.

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