What is the primary purpose of incorporating visuals in a document?

The primary purpose of incorporating visuals in a document is to improve clarity and comprehension. Visual elements such as charts, graphs, images, and diagrams can break down complex information and present it in an easier-to-understand format. When readers encounter visual aids, they can grasp concepts more quickly, making it simpler to retain and recall information. Visuals can also highlight key points and relationships between data that might be difficult to convey through text alone, thus enhancing the overall communication effectiveness of the document.

In contrast to aesthetics, which may enhance the appeal of a document, the main goal of visuals is to serve functional purposes that aid understanding. Increasing document length does not serve any real purpose for clarity; it can actually obstruct comprehension if content is unnecessarily inflated. Additionally, visuals are meant to complement text, not distract from it, as distractions would undermine the intended communication and confuse the reader rather than aiding their understanding.