After reading through chapter 24, there really wasn't much that I found to be interesting. Most of the information that was presented in this chapter dealt with presenting pure facts in the form of a graph or table. Another large portion of this information talks about how to present graphics in order to persuade someone. This information doesn't directly affect my thoughts on this current project, but there was a few things that I found interesting. One main topic that I found appealing was the portion dedicated to explaining how to insert graphs and charts into a word document. This is currently not a beneficial piece of information, but it will help me further down the road. All in all it was hard to find any of this information appealing since I am trying to direct my attention to learning how to present graphics as an aid not to persuade or inform.
In chapter 25, the information they are trying to present is mainly how to present and create a wide array of graphics and information to be used in flyers, brochures, newsletters, etc. One section of this chapter that I found appealing was the section talking about brochures and display boards. I found this area to be the most appealing to me because this was the form that I was going to try and use when I present my instructions. Even though the example shown on P. 583 uses a standard sheet of paper, the over all concept being portrayed has given me a good base to start on. Some of the points made that I can use in my work is the .5" margins and the .66" alleys between columns. The 2.9" inches that is said to be used is going to be different since I am having to use a different size paper.
You aren't persuading?
As you look over Chapter 24 in TH, you need to expand your own definition of "persuasion." Your instructions are very much attempting to persuade: persuading users to follow your instructions, to use a technology in particular way, to avoid hazards or dangers, etc. You are, in the broadest sense of persuasion, trying to move your audience in a particular way: you want them to think a certain way and then behave in accordance with that thinking.
Note: Make sure you expand your discussion with specifics about how the readings can help us with our current project. For instance, when you write, "Some of the points made that I can use in my work is the .5" margins and the .66" alleys between columns. The 2.9" inches that is said to be used is going to be different since I am having to use a different size paper," you should continue on in describing why you will use these dimensions and what they will allow you do with respect to your user's needs, values, and expectations. (This comment might be applicable here.)
The importance of things...
Persuading people is rather important...although for this project it may be done in a slightly different way. You have to lure people in by appealing to what they feel is important. The overarching theme of this course is audience analysis; another person mentioned several posters that caught their eye, and this was done because they viewed the coloration patterns to be important to convey a message-in the case of this discussion, that message was "this is me persuading you to come over here and read me". This is not only accomplished by graphics, but as you've mentioned the spacing of text. White space, it seems, is a big deal too in terms of guiding the eye and "persuading" the reader to pay close attention to something or get their attention in the first place.