Most people don’t read web pages word-for-word — they scan. Craft scannable headings that clearly summarise the point of each section – then readers can quickly find what matters to them. This article explains how talking headings help readers scan your content and understand your message faster.

Talking headings in a document provide both navigation and content information. They are of immense value to your reader.

What are talking headings?

Talking headings summarise the point of a section rather than simply naming the topic. By reading only the headings, a reader should understand the main message of the document.

Headings like ‘Introduction’ and ‘Conclusion’ just give navigation information. They tell us we’re at the beginning or at the end of a document.

Help your readers scan

Craft scannable headings so they tell the story. The reader should get the gist of your document just by reading your headings. And for busy readers, that may be all they read.

Bucket heading vs talking heading

A bucket heading might be something like ‘New strategy’. That just tells me there’s a bucket of information here about the new strategy, but doesn’t tell me anything about it.

A talking heading might be something like ‘Our new strategy responds to funding cuts’. It tells me exactly what the section is about, and primes my mind to receive that information correctly.

How long should a heading be?
A heading should be a short phrase or sentence that clearly communicates the main idea. Just a line or two.

Talking headings are useful, in letters, reports, briefing notes, procedures – all sorts of documents.

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