Readers just want to know what applies to them.  The best way to grab and hold their attention is to figure out who they are and what they want to know.  Put yourself in their shoes. 

Tell your readers why the material is important to them.  Say, “If you want to pass this course, here’s what you have to do.” 

Think about what your reader knows about the situation now. Then think about how to guide them from their current knowledge base to what they need to know.

You need to guide your readers from Point A to Point B in as straight a line as possible.  To do this, you must anticipate the questions they have about where to step next.

• Identify your audience and the purpose of your document

• Use question and answer format to engage your reader

• Choose headings carefully

• Use 'you' and other pronouns to speak directly to your readers

• Use 'you' to speak to your reader

• Use 'I' in headings to pose readers' questions eg. How do I appeal an assessment decision?

• Use 'we' to refer to your organisation

• Use the active voice

• Use appropriate tone

• Use non-discriminatory language