Pull quotes. You see them in magazines and in newspapers. Publishers traditionally use them as filler. But pull quotes do more than just fill. They get the reader's attention, highlight key points and add style to a document.

Technical writers have ignored pull quotes as a way to emphasize. Trainers have ignored them as a way to reinforce. But pull quotes do both, and can make a document more effective. 

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Here are some of the advantages pull quotes provide:

• They summarize your message for the casual reader.
• They reinforce important concepts.
• They can be used to break up large text blocks, making them easier to read.

And, they add style!

"Pull quotes do more than just fill. Technical writers have ignored them as a way to emphasize. Trainers have ignored them as a way to reinforce."

Creating Pull Quotes

Pull quotes are easy to create. Simply select key phrases from your document and repeat them with highlighting at various locations. If you use multiple pull quotes, keep them in order to preserve your message for the casual reader. If you use one pull quote, try combining two or more phrases, as I have here. Also, try putting pull quotes in the left margin.

Finally, double-check your effort by reading the title, headings and pull quotes alone. Do they make your point?

Quick Reference Guide

Pull quotes. They're easy. They're free (after all, you've already written them). And, they're effective. Try them in your next publication.