What is the primary function of a heading in a document?

The primary function of a heading in a document is to guide the reader through the main topics. Headings help organize content, allowing readers to quickly identify key sections and understand the structure of the information presented. By breaking the text into manageable parts, headings facilitate navigation and enhance comprehension. Readers can scan the document for relevant sections and gain a sense of the document's overall flow, making it easier to find specific information or to grasp the central ideas being discussed.

While making text visually appealing might be a secondary benefit, it does not capture the primary purpose of a heading. Emphasizing an author’s argument is more related to the content of the document rather than its structural elements. Additionally, effective headings should avoid complex terminology; instead, they should be clear and straightforward to support reader understanding.