paul mundy ways to produce information materials

Paul Mundy www.mamud.com

Ways to produce information materials


Ways to produce information materials Single author Small team of writers Multiple authors who submit manuscripts to

an editor Journalistic reporting Conference or symposium Writeshop


Single author

Most usual method One person reviews literature, draws

on own experiences, and writes draft Draft then edited and laid out

Advantages Gives one person close control of manuscript Author must have broad knowledge of subject

But Few authors know enough – so must rely on literature Needs a lot of time to write, check facts, draw illustrations Good if one expert has enough time to write


Small writing team

Often used to write textbooks Small team reviews literature

and writes manuscript More comprehensive coverage Faster writing process Requires coordination and editing to

ensure uniformity The authors still need much time


Multiple authors and editor

Editor selects authors and invites each to contribute a chapter Editor provides guidelines for writing Authors submit manuscripts Editor ensures uniform style, eliminates overlap etc. Editor checks draft with author Editor writes introduction and one or more chapters

Often takes a long time Drafts vary in style and quality Limited opportunity to check each

chapter with peers


Reporting

A “reporter” interviews key individuals, reviews the literature, and writes the manuscript

Useful if Subject matter is not highly technical Resource persons cannot write for the

target audience Needs

A reporter with subject background What subjects to include, whom to

interview, what questions to ask Significant amount of time to check errors

with sources


Conference

Organization hosts a conference

Specialists write and present manuscripts

Audience asks questions and gives comments

Sometimes an editor discusses the manuscripts with the authors

Editor edits the drafts and checks queries with authors

Relatively expensive Manuscripts not uniform in quality and topics Editing can take a long time


Writeshops Combines benefits of conference,

reporting and team writing


Standard writeshop model

Identify audience and objectives

Identify type of materials needed

Identify theme of book, break it into separate “topics”

Prepare guidelines for authors, invite authors to write drafts

Editor revises manuscripts and checks final queries

Final draft laid out, proofread, printed and distributed

Introduce writeshop procedure

Each author presents draft

Audience comments Author and editor take

notes Editor and author

revise manuscript Artist draws

illustrations Author presents draft 2

Small groups develop ideas

Before writeshop

During writeshop

After writeshop


Features of a standard writeshop Long lead-time for planning and

logistics 20–50 participants from different

organizations Participants stay throughout

writeshop Staff: coordinator, facilitators,

editors, artists, photocopying, logistics

5–10 days In hotel or conference centre Relatively expensive

paul mundy ways to produce information materials

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