Producing Lay Documents

Lenette GoldingCommunications Advisor

Infant, Young Child and Maternal NutritionWindow of Opportunity

Child Health and Nutrition Team

13th Annual Nutrition and Child Health WorkshopBali, IndonesiaMarch 18, 2009

Getting Prepared! Documentation, Presentation and Advocacy

Learn keyprinciples

Learn tips and tricks

View an

example

from

CARE

Nicaragua

Create a lay document

Share your lay documentwith the group

What does “lay” audience mean?

No special or expert knowledge on the subject

“Learn to use little words in a big way.” -Anonymous

“The difference between the almost right word & the right word is really a large matter--it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” - Mark Twain

Reducing jargon

GobbledygookAlphabet soup

Using “plain language”What “plain language” is:

A tool for increasing understanding

Clear, limited, but accurate knowledge

“Plain language” is not: Plain insulting

Using journalistic techniques“Inverted pyramid”

Conclusion Supporting Information Background & technical details

What makes documents effective?ContentReadabilityFont typeColorImagesLayout

Content- short sentences “To help mothers with malnourished children, in some areas

a special supplement has been prepared, which they can feed to the child and which will make good the lack in the child’s diet and start him on recovery while he gets used to the diet that is taught to the mother.”

“We must teach mothers of malnourished children to feed their children a better diet. In some areas a special food supplement is made to help these mothers. While they are learning about the new diet, the mothers can give their children the food supplement. The supplement improves the child’s diet, and the child will start to recover.”

Content- positive sentences

“Rickets is not uncommon in Indian children.”

“Rickets is common in Indian children.”

Content- Active voice

“ Her attention will soon be directed towards another baby.”

“She will soon direct her attention toward another baby.”

Content- presentation variety

Present information in a variety of ways:Bulleted listsChartsTablesImages

SFPS/USAID/JHUCCP; From Cote d’Ivoire

Readability ToolsMicrosoft Word has two tools:

Flesch-Kincaid Grade LevelFlesch Reading Ease

Font Type

Avoid using too many different fonts in a document or material.

Color Use colors that appeal to the

audience (Ex. Adolescents may be attracted to different colors than adults)

Use color to focus attention Use color to set the mood Use culturally appropriate colors

Layout

Use upper and lower case letters; DON’T USE ALL CAPS IN BODY OF TEXT (it’s harder to read)

Use underlining or bold to give emphasis (but, sensibly)

Tips for Creating Lay Documents Make it personal

Use storiesUse metaphorsUse visuals

The reader needs to have a context for the words

Summary Know your audience Use plain language Provide appropriate content Focus on human interest Inverted pyramid Use graphics suited to the audience Balance content and visuals Pilot test

Activity: Create a lay document