USCIS Plain Language: Put Your Main Message First

If you want to write clearly, you need to first know what your main message is, second, think about the needs of your reader, and third, organize your information in a logical way.

Use the inverted pyramid.

Lead with the information that your reader needs to know to take action. Every reader has one major question—“Why should I read this?” and you need to answer that first with the who, what, when, where, why and how. Then include important information. Leave the background information for the end.

When you don’t answer your readers’ questions, they’re going to look for information elsewhere and they might get the wrong information. If you’re the expert, make sure that your reader hears the message loud and clear by putting the main message first.

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