Paul Mundy Writeshops to produce information materials Getting information out of heads and onto paper… in a form that normal mortals can.
Post on 27-Dec-2015
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Paul Mundy www.mamud.com
Writeshops to produce information materials
Getting information out of heads and onto paper…in a form that normal mortals can understand
Writeshops
Intensive 3 days–2 weeks 20–40 participants
Scientists, extension, NGOs, indigenous specialists, farmers, teachers…
Wide range of expertise and interests
Writeshop purpose
To produce info materials on specific theme 40+ writeshops on different themes Agroforestry Ethnoveterinary medicine Sustainable agriculture Public awareness?
Simplify science for users Capacity building for national institutions/NGOs Document experiences & best practices
Sample topicChapters 5-7 pages long
Simple but attractive design
Start with human-interest story
Illustration
Sample topic
Box for info that does not fit well into main text
Frequent headings, short paragraphs
Bulleted lists
Easy-to-read, journalistic style
Sample pageEthnoveterinary medicine in Asia
• Short chapters (“topics”)
• Clear, concise, easy to understand
• Standard format• Illustrations
Writeshop process 1
Preparation Identify broad theme Identify topics Select resource persons Assign topics Prepare logistics
Writeshop process 2
Draft 1 Present Critique Edit Draw Desktop
publishing Draft 3• Comments
Draft 2• Present• Critique• Revise• Redraw• Desktop
publishing
Writeshop process 3
Final revisions Desktop publishing
Publish Print Distribute Use
Evaluate, follow-up
Writeshop advantages
Fast, efficient, flexible 200 page book in 2 weeks
Translates science into practice Easy to understand, illustrations
Involves multiple stakeholders Scientists, extension, NGOs, farmers, audience members Wide distribution through multiple institutions
Builds capacity Helps people write Promotes networking
Flexibility
Can adapt structure as you go along Add or combine chapters
Flexible timetable Coordinating committee meeting in evening to
discuss next day Use small groups to brainstorm ideas Assign writing tasks to individuals or teams Individual participants can come and go
But need a core of participants all the time
Flexibility
Can add other activities Field trip Stakeholder discussion forum Project planning session Training course
Can piggyback on other activities Conference Planning sessions
Size of writeshop
Big Biodiversity of the W Ghats, India
100+ participants 100+ short manuscripts 2 weeks
Medium Trading up
Ca. 40 participants 8 chapters 15 cases 300 pages
Size of writeshop
Medium Agricultura sostenible
in Perú y Bolivia 8 chapters 16 cases 238 pages 8 days
Small Conservation
agriculture in Lesotho 6 participants 8 pages 1 day
Type of product
Book Loose-leaf kit Training materials Policy brief Project proposal Extension booklets Brochures Policy?
Contents of book
Cases + analysis Trading up
How-to manual Conservation agriculture
Set of stories Culture and change
Reference book Field manual of camel diseases
Writeshop staff
Writeshop coordinator Facilitators Editors Artists Computers, secretarial Interpreters
Writeshop coordinator
Focuses on content Specialist in subject Conceptualizes book Develops framework Guides choice of topics and authors Develops sample chapter
Facilitator
Guides “front of house” activities Guides and manages discussions Ensures focus on subject Guides traffic When participants understand process, they
can take over facilitation
Editor(s)
Number of editors depends on number and complexity of manuscripts
Focuses on message in manuscript Works with authors to revise manuscript 3 modes of editing
Editor revises manuscript, then checks with author
Editor discusses with author, then author revises Editor and author revise manuscript together
Editor finalizes manuscript after writeshop
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