I am trying to write a long expository piece and cannot figure out which information should come first. Here are three candidates:
- A summary/abstract lists the main points, without necessarily explaining what they mean.
- Pros: gets the main information out rapidly if you already understand context.
- Cons: Unintelligible if reader doesn't already know background information.
- Background information explains the key prerequisite terms and facts, which are necessay for understanding a conclusion or summary.
- Pros: if the reader reads this first, then s/he will definitely be able to understand the summary and conclusions when they arrive.
- Cons: it will take a long time to read through the background in order to get to the conclusions.
- Justification states a challenging situation, explains why someone should care about reading the document or looking for a solution.
- Pros: reader understands why it's worth reading the document, frames subsequent content
- Cons: makes the reader have to read through the justification (which s/he may already know) in order to get down the solution/conclusions summary.
Which do you think should come first, or in what order? Is there any other information that would be more valuable to introduce the document?
Any thoughts greatly appreciated. Thank you!