OT: Heading levels in a UG

[Lin Sims]

On Wed, Jul 15, 2009 at 3:25 AM, Evanth,
Henrik<Henrik.Evanth at sonyericsson.com> wrote:
> Hi All
>
> I have an off-topic question that may or may not interest you.
>
> We are having a discussion at the office regarding the maximum levels of heading that a User guide/User manual can/should contain. Do you know of any best practice rules that define how deep a publication should/could be. Personally I think that 6 levels is too deep for a user, but that is just a personal preference that I cannot back up with "evidence".
>
> Heading 1
>   Heading 2
>      Heading 3
>         Heading 4
>            Heading 5
>               Heading 6
>
> Insights, comments or instructions are highly appreciated.

I attended an Edward Tufte seminar a number of years ago. He does book
signings at these, and while he was signing my copies he asked my
profession. When I said "technical writer", his response was "No more
than 3 levels of headings."

-- 
Lin Sims