Hierarchy is essential to architectural design, but it seems that many in the profession find it difficult to translate the idea of hierarchy into other forms such as writing and communication. Understanding the value and importance of information you are attempting to communicate is only the beginning of the process. Much like an architectural program, the program of communication must be addressed in its parts or components. Then, their arrangement is critical to allowing the audience to grasp and, better yet, embrace information. This is the narrative.

Every communication has the potential to become a narrative that transforms the viewer, reader and audience from one state—perhaps the introduction of an idea--to another--the complete understanding and acceptance of that idea. Narrative and the appreciation of hierarchy in communicating information will accomplish this.