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Clear & Simple. Developing Effective Print Materials for Low-Literate Readers.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Clear & Simple. Developing Effective Print Materials for Low-Literate Readers.
Language: English
Authors: National Cancer Inst. (NIH), Bethesda, MD.
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 65
Publication Date: 1994
Report Number: NIH-95-3594
Intended Audience: Practitioners
Document Type: Guides - Non-Classroom
Descriptors: Adult Basic Education, Audience Analysis, Basic Skills, Functional Reading, Health Education, High Interest Low Vocabulary Books, Instructional Materials, Literacy Education, Material Development, Reading Materials, Reading Skills
Geographic Terms: U.S.; Maryland
Abstract: This guide, developed through a workshop of communicators from diverse U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' agencies, outlines a process for developing publications for people with limited literacy skills. The process was derived from communications, health education, and literacy research and practice. The guide features both proven principles and a discussion of the real-life issues that persons developing low-literacy materials face, such as the constraints of time, budget, organizational pressures, and the government publications process. The guide includes five standard steps for developing low-literacy print materials: (1) define the target audience; (2) conduct target audience research; (3) develop a concept for the product; (4) develop content and visuals; and (5) pretest and revise draft materials. Examples throughout are drawn from health materials, especially cancer-prevention items. In addition, the guide lists 9 citations of sample print materials and 11 references. It also includes lists of 51 low-literacy publications and software and 27 organizational resources. (KC)
Journal Code: RIESEP1995
Entry Date: 1995
Accession Number: ED381691
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:This guide, developed through a workshop of communicators from diverse U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' agencies, outlines a process for developing publications for people with limited literacy skills. The process was derived from communications, health education, and literacy research and practice. The guide features both proven principles and a discussion of the real-life issues that persons developing low-literacy materials face, such as the constraints of time, budget, organizational pressures, and the government publications process. The guide includes five standard steps for developing low-literacy print materials: (1) define the target audience; (2) conduct target audience research; (3) develop a concept for the product; (4) develop content and visuals; and (5) pretest and revise draft materials. Examples throughout are drawn from health materials, especially cancer-prevention items. In addition, the guide lists 9 citations of sample print materials and 11 references. It also includes lists of 51 low-literacy publications and software and 27 organizational resources. (KC)