12.6 Evidence hierarchy

Not all information deserves equal emphasis. Organize evidence into levels:

• essential evidence directly supports the central conclusion;
• supporting evidence explains a definition, method, or secondary point;
• technical evidence allows review and reproduction; and
• exploratory material documents investigation but does not belong in the main story.

Essential evidence belongs in the main communication. Supporting evidence may appear nearby or in a note. Technical evidence often belongs in an appendix. Exploratory material may be retained in working files without being delivered.