Consider both the genre — or type — of document that you are writing and your use of design principles and elements (see Chapter 16). If your assignment gave you a choice of genre, ask whether the genre you’ve selected is appropriate, given your purpose and readers. For example, would it be more effective to reach your readers via an informative Web site, an opinion column, or a brochure? Would it be more effective to publish your document as a blog entry or as a letter to the editor of a magazine or newspaper? Regardless of the type of document you’re writing, make sure that you’ve followed the conventions associated with it, such as level of formality, accepted sources of evidence, and organization.

Take a careful look, as well, at how you’ve designed your document (see Chapter 16). Does it resemble what your readers will expect? For example, if you’re writing an academic essay, have you double-spaced your lines, used a readable font, and set wide margins? If you’re creating a Web site, have you made it easy for your readers to find their way around? Have you consistently formatted your headings and subheadings? Have you used design principles and elements to achieve your purpose and consider your readers?