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How to create effective Health communication documents.
Guidelines for creating useful and easy to read health communication
documents, pamphlets, brochures, Press releases, Posters, etc.
Firstly,
Define your purpose and target market segment.
Develop Culturally Appropriate Communications. Be relevant
Give emphasis to what the patient has to know and do.
Use Plain language and easy vocabulary.
Know your reader, and write with your reader's viewpoint in
mind.
Choose the tone of the document. Be helpful and positive.
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Document Planning and Overview
Organize topics in the order the reader will use them
Make the document attractive and designed for easy reading.
Use white space in margins and between sections.
Use ragged right margins.
Present the most important points first and last.
Respect the intended audience
Avoid jargon, technical terms, abbreviations, and acronyms.
Avoid unnecessary formality.
Give an overview of the main idea of the text.
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Say only what you have to say, avoiding too many messages
in a single sentence, and omitting surplus words.
Include a glossary if necessary.
Structuring your sentences-
Use short sentences.
Prefer the active voice.
Use simple, "everyday" words.
Use words consistently.
Avoid noun strings.
Avoid multiple negatives.
Avoid nouns created from verbs.
Use action verbs; avoid the verb "to be."
Use personal pronouns.
Font and formatting within the document
Use Serif fonts (with legs) for paragraphs and text blocks and
sans serif fonts (without legs) for Headings/Subheadings.
Use minimum 12 font size.
For emphasis use italics or bold (not underlining).
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Text is easiest to read when the print color and the background
color are in high contrast.
Keep equivalent items parallel.
List conditions separately.
Keep bulletted items no longer than 5 to 7