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Word Desktop Publishing

Document Analysis Guide

To help you analyze documents according to desktop publishing concepts, write short answers to the

following questions:

1. Identify what you think is the author’s intended purpose of the document.

The purpose of this document is to sell the services of Skyline Communications by informing readers of their

upcoming schedule of workshops, seminars, and distance-learning seminars.

2. Describe the intended audience.

The intended audience would most likely include business professionals and organizations or individuals

interested in the topics presented in the flyer.

3. How is focus achieved in this document? Is it used appropriately? Why or why not?

Focus is achieved by using a contemporary graphic image in the upper left corner; the company name set

in a larger, more contemporary font; the shadow text boxes that include the workshop topics; and the

looped dashed lines that connect to the text boxes that contain the dates, times, and locations.

4. Is the design of this document symmetrical or asymmetrical? Explain.

The balance in this design is asymmetrical. Contrasting design elements of unequal weight or proportion are

used to achieve balance. For example, the graphic in the upper left corner of the document is balanced by

the company name and address information to the right of the graphic.

5. Are all of the elements in proportion to each other and to their relative importance in the intended

message? Explain.

All of the elements are in proportion to each other and to their relative importance in achieving the

document’s intended purpose. For example, titles within the shadow boxes on the left side, and the dates

and times in the text boxes on the right side, are sized in proportion to their relative importance to the

message.

6. Give two examples of how contrast was achieved in this document. Explain.

Contrast is achieved in the use of the color graphic image in the upper left corner of the top of the page;

the company name set in a larger, bolder font; the shadow text boxes with titles set in a larger, bolder font;

the looped dashed blue lines connecting the boxes on the left to the boxes on the right; and text set in

varying type sizes, and styles.

7. Evaluate the use of white space. Where was it used effectively? Ineffectively? Explain.

White space is used effectively in this document. The amount of white space within and around each

shadow box/textbox helps to give this document a lighter feel even though it contains a lot of information.

The graphic image and company information at the top of the page are surrounded by enough white

space to provide impact without overpowering the message.

8. Evaluate the directional flow on the page. Are related items grouped together and positioned close to

each other on the page? Where? Could some items be grouped differently? What type of alignment was

used in this document? How could it be improved?

Name Your Name Here

Exercise # C01-E01-Evaluate.docx

Ex. 1.3B

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Related items are grouped together and positioned close to each other. For example, the titles and their

descriptions are grouped together in each shadow box; the dates, times, and locations are grouped

together in individual text boxes; and the company name and address information is grouped together in

the upper right corner. A strong left alignment was used in left aligning the graphic image in the upper left

corner and the shadow text boxes on the left side of the document. Left alignment was also used within the

company name and address information and within each text box. Right alignment is established by

aligning all the text boxes on the right side. The reader’s eyes are drawn through the document starting at

the top of the page with the graphic image acting as a primary focal point. The shadow text boxes act as

secondary focal points that help to draw the reader’s eyes down the page. The looped dashed lines lead

the reader across the page to the corresponding text box. The bullets within the text boxes on the right side

help to draw the eyes down through each list of items within the text boxes.

9. Give two examples of consistent elements found in this document.

The font used for the company name and the titles within the shadow text boxes and the blue color in the

graphic image, the shadow color surrounding the text boxes, and the looped dashed lines.

10. Evaluate the use of color. Was it used for emphasis, to highlight important facts, to provide a consistent

element, to provide contrast, or just for decoration?

Using the blue color from the graphic image as the shadow color surrounding the text boxes and in the

looped dashed lines provides consistency to this document as well as adding visual interest. The blue color

was also used to emphasize the text boxes containing the seminar and workshop titles; while at the same

time, contributing to the directional flow in the document by drawing the reader’s eyes down the page. The

bolder black used in the company name and seminar/workshop titles provides focus and contrast, while

aiding the directional flow down the page.

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Assmt. 1. 3

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Ex. 2.1B

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Ex. 2.4

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Assmt. 2. 1

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Assmt. 2. 3

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Assmt. 2. 4

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Ex. 3.1C

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Ex. 3.2 A

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Assmt. 3.1

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Assmt. 3. 2

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