HSCI 537                                                                                        Dr. Robert Huff

Checklist for Printed Materials

Title of Material: ________________________________________________________

Directions: Place a check next to each item that meets the described attribute.

ORGANIZATION

[ ] 1. The cover is attractive. It indicates the core content and intended audience.

[ ] 2. Desired behavior changes are stressed. Need to know information is stressed.

[ ] 3. Not more than three or four main points are presented.

[ ] 4. Headers and summaries are used to show organization and provide message

        repetition.

[ ] 5. A summary that stresses what to do is included.

WRITING STYLE

[ ] 6. The writing is in conversational style, active voice.

[ ] 7. There is little or no jargon.

[ ] 8. Text is vivid and interesting. Tone is friendly.

APPEARANCE

[ ] 9. Pages or sections appear uncluttered. Ample white space.

[ ] 10. Lowercase letters used (capitals used only where grammatically needed).

[ ] 11. There is a high degree of contrast between print and the paper.

[ ] 12. Print size is at least 12 point, serif type, and no stylized letters.

[ ] 13. Illustrations are simple-preferably line drawings.

[ ] 14. Illustrations serve to amplify the text.

APPEAL

[ ] 15. The material is culturally, gender, and age appropriate.

[ ] 16. The material closely matches the logic, language, and experience of the

           intended audience.

[ ] 17. Interaction is invited via questions, responses, suggested action, etc.

From: Area Health Education Center, Biddeford, Maine. In Doak, Doak & Root (1996). Teaching Patients with Low Literacy Skills (2nd Edition). Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Company, p. 43.