1. How good are you at reading graphics (tables, charts, etc.)? What types are easiest for you? Which are hardest for you? Why?

2. After reading the chapter, what does a good technical writer do to make their graphics as easy to read as possible?

Note: You can use this chapter's information as part of your second assignment, the graphic design manual.

Second reading: PDF on Graphic Design "Ch 5 Graphic Design" (from a design textbook)

1. After completing this PDF, you now have read three sources on design plus Ch 12. Please come up with your own basic theory of design. You'll likely rank the most important ideas to secondary, less important ideas while explaining the importance of all concepts. You might think of how each concept helps readers read clearly, but also how each makes for a visually appealing page.

Supporting ideas: For your above "theory," please incorporate answers to the following questions: How do people read a page layout? How do people read alphabetic text? What should a technical communicator working in both graphics and written text consider first? second? third? etc. from about half a dozen ideas in these readings. Devise a theory or process of your own for approaching page design. (You can merge this with your partner's for assignment 2 to increase your thinking.)

Note: This is not busy work! Answering these questions will help you explain the readability requirement for each section of your graphic design manual.