HEADINGS
Headings are an important feature of technical writing: They alert readers to upcoming
topics and subtopics, help readers find their way around in long reports, skip what they
are not interested in, and break up long stretches of straight text. Headings are also
useful for writers: They keep you organized and focused on the topic. For longer
documents, they can function as an outline throughout your rough draft.
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR HEADINGS: Here are some guidelines for
headings:
o Use headings to mark the boundaries of your document’s major sections
and subsections.
o Try for 2 to 3 headings per regular page of text. Don’t overdue headings!
o Make the phrasing of headings parallel (as you would for a list).
o Make the phrasing of headings self-explanatory and descriptive, rather
than vague and general.
o Make headings indicate the range of topics covered in a section. In other
words, your heading should describe the whole section, not just a piece of
it.
o Avoid “stacked” headings – any two consecutive headings without
intervening text.
o Avoid referencing a heading in the following body text. For example, if
you have the heading “Torque,” don’t begin the following section with “This
is a physics principle…”
o When possible, omit articles (a, an, the) from the beginning of headings.
o Don’t use headings as lead-ins or as figure titles.
o Keep at least two lines of body text with a heading if it is at the bottom of a
page, or place the heading at the start of a new page.
GENERAL FORMAT
o First-level headings: First-level headings are for long documents with
multiple sections and subsections. A first-level heading often functions as
a chapter title. If you are writing a brief document, start with second-level
headings in the body of the document. Follow these guidelines for first-
level headings:
Make first-level headings with all caps.
Use Roman numerals with first-level headings.
Bold the entire heading, including the Roman numeral.
Center first-level headings on the page.
Start a new page whenever you use a first-level heading.
Begin first-level headings on the standard first text line of a page.
Note: In short documents like those you write for this class, use a centered
title and start with second-level headings in the body of the document.
Don’t use first-level headings for short documents.
o Second-level headings: In long documents, use second-level headings
to indicate sections within a chapter. In short, documents start with
Headings are an important feature of technical writing: They alert readers to upcoming
topics and subtopics, help readers find their way around in long reports, skip what they
are not interested in, and break up long stretches of straight text. Headings are also
useful for writers: They keep you organized and focused on the topic. For longer
documents, they can function as an outline throughout your rough draft.
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR HEADINGS: Here are some guidelines for
headings:
o Use headings to mark the boundaries of your document’s major sections
and subsections.
o Try for 2 to 3 headings per regular page of text. Don’t overdue headings!
o Make the phrasing of headings parallel (as you would for a list).
o Make the phrasing of headings self-explanatory and descriptive, rather
than vague and general.
o Make headings indicate the range of topics covered in a section. In other
words, your heading should describe the whole section, not just a piece of
it.
o Avoid “stacked” headings – any two consecutive headings without
intervening text.
o Avoid referencing a heading in the following body text. For example, if
you have the heading “Torque,” don’t begin the following section with “This
is a physics principle…”
o When possible, omit articles (a, an, the) from the beginning of headings.
o Don’t use headings as lead-ins or as figure titles.
o Keep at least two lines of body text with a heading if it is at the bottom of a
page, or place the heading at the start of a new page.
GENERAL FORMAT
o First-level headings: First-level headings are for long documents with
multiple sections and subsections. A first-level heading often functions as
a chapter title. If you are writing a brief document, start with second-level
headings in the body of the document. Follow these guidelines for first-
level headings:
Make first-level headings with all caps.
Use Roman numerals with first-level headings.
Bold the entire heading, including the Roman numeral.
Center first-level headings on the page.
Start a new page whenever you use a first-level heading.
Begin first-level headings on the standard first text line of a page.
Note: In short documents like those you write for this class, use a centered
title and start with second-level headings in the body of the document.
Don’t use first-level headings for short documents.
o Second-level headings: In long documents, use second-level headings
to indicate sections within a chapter. In short, documents start with
