Tip 702: Headings as Signposts

From the Writing Workshops: Headings as Signposts

Rod Serling said, “There’s a signpost up ahead . . . .”

Signposts guide us: “Next stop, The Twilight Zone.”

Or “Gaviota State Beach. Left Turn. ½ Mile.” Probably more realistic.  

Text headings serve as signposts. Consider the run-in headings we used last week:

How do we gain the required knowledge? We learn . . . .

How do we gain the necessary skills? We observe . . . .

How do we demonstrate initiative? We discipline . . . .

As you read last week’s Tip, you used these headings to identify the parts you wanted to read. If you were comfortable with your knowledge and skills, but if you wanted to demonstrate initiative, the third heading guided you to the appropriate discussion.

Three Kinds of Headings

• A block heading introduces a chapter or major portion of your document. A block heading introduced this Tip: “From the Writing Workshops . . . .

• A section heading introduces a smaller portion of the block. Notice the section heading for this section: “Three Kinds of Headings.”

• A run-in heading leads a reader into a paragraph. Yup. Just like this one. And just like the ones we used last week.

Headings keep your reader comfortable and answer her questions, “Where are we going with this?” “What’s next?” and “What can I skip?”  

We know of no situation where headings might be inappropriate.

Try them. Use them. See what happens.

We love this stuff.