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Mcom 320: Formatting Your Ideas

The Impact of Text Design

🎯 Outcomes, Values, and Objectives

This learning module should take you about 1 hour to complete.
By the end of this lesson you will meet the

1. Course Learning Outcomes

  • Disciplinary Communication
  • Writing Processes
  • Knowledge of Conventions

2. BYU Marriott Values

  • Faith in Christ
  • Integrity in Action
  • Respect for All
  • Excellence

3. Lesson Objectives

  • FORMAT, do not decorate, business documents

Overview

When you think about beautiful design, does the temple come to mind? Temples are adorned with beautiful artwork, furniture, lighting, and woodwork. Are temples decorated to show off? Houses of the Lord, temples are not made simply to be beautiful for our enjoyment; they are a physical reflection of how we feel about Jesus Christ. The temples are designed to represent our coming to and adoring Christ.

Temples are also designed to stand out and call others to their attention. They do not look like the 'next building on the street.' Why? The architectural designs have a distinct look that often makes them stand out among other city structures (where possible). With full purpose in mind, temple design is intentional, not haphazard.

When you format professional business documents, think about the temple. Design them as a physical reflection of your respect for your audience. Let the audience know you respect them enough to care about formatting the documents they'll be reading.

Well-formatted messages are more attractive and accessible to your readers, inviting them to engage. Format your documents according to the brain-friendly principles you will learn in this unit:

  • Select fonts
  • Align and space text
  • Format parallel headings

Show integrity in action, respect for all, and excellence as you intentionally design brain-friendly documents your audiences can use to make sound business decisions.

Read the following textbook chapter