Robert Gagné Nine Principles of Instructional Design

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Applying Robert Gagné’s Steps to Writing Content for an Audience

1. Gain Attention
Start with a hook that grabs the reader's focus. Use a compelling headline, a question, or a surprising fact to draw them in. For example, if your content is about improving productivity, a question like, "Do you struggle to stay focused at work?" immediately engages the audience.

2. State Objectives
Clearly outline what the audience will gain from the content. This gives them a reason to keep reading. For instance, "By the end of this article, you’ll know five practical ways to double your productivity."

3. Stimulate Recall of Prior Learning
Help readers connect the new information to what they already know. You might reference a common experience or assumption, like, "Most of us have tried making to-do lists, but they don’t always work, right?"

4. Present Content
Deliver your key points in a clear and structured way. Use bullet points, subheadings, or short paragraphs to make it digestible. Ensure your content flows logically from one idea to the next.

5. Provide Learning Guidance
Offer examples, tips, or step-by-step instructions to clarify your points. For instance, "To create an effective to-do list, start by grouping tasks by priority, then allocate specific time slots to each."

6. Elicit Performance
Encourage your audience to apply what they’ve learned. For example, include a call-to-action like, "Pause here and create a to-do list for your next workday."

7. Provide Feedback
Help your readers evaluate their understanding or efforts. You could include checklists or examples of common mistakes, like, "If your to-do list feels overwhelming, try breaking tasks into smaller steps."

8. Assess Performance
Offer ways for your audience to assess their progress. This could be a self-assessment question: "Did you manage to stick to your list and complete your high-priority tasks?"

9. Enhance Retention and Transfer
End by reinforcing key points and encouraging future use. Summarise the steps, and suggest how readers can apply the techniques in different contexts. For example, "Now that you’ve mastered prioritising tasks, try using this approach to manage long-term projects."

By following these steps, your content will be more engaging, effective, and actionable for your audience.