The link provided below is to a PDF (375kb) that gives a basic overview of using hierarchy in the organisation of content.
Visual hierarchy is the organization of visual elements into different levels of relative importance.
Through basic design principles (such as position, scale, value, and weight), the
communication designer emphasises one element over another so the viewer is visually
drawn first to the content which is most important…
For more download the PDF here:
http://www.christopherhethrington.com/downloads/visualHierarchy.pdf