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Writeshops to produce information materials

Learn how to organize intensive writeshops to produce information materials on various topics. Enhance scientific content and make it accessible to a wide range of readers. Build capacity, promote networking, and create impactful publications.

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Writeshops to produce information materials

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  1. Writeshops to produce information materials Getting information out of heads and onto paper… in a form that normal mortals can understand

  2. Writeshops • Intensive • 3 days–2 weeks • 20–40 participants • Scientists, extension, NGOs, indigenous specialists, farmers, teachers… • Wide range of expertise and interests

  3. 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

  4. Some publications produced through writeshops

  5. Chapters 5-7 pages long Simple but attractive design Start with human-interest story Illustration Sample topic

  6. Box for info that does not fit well into main text Frequent headings, short paragraphs Bulleted lists Easy-to-read, journalistic style Sample topic

  7. Sample page • Short chapters (“topics”) • Clear, concise, easy to understand Ethnoveterinary medicine in Asia • Standard format • Illustrations

  8. Writeshop process Preparation Writeshop Final revisions Publish

  9. Writeshop process 1 Preparation • Identify broad theme • Identify topics • Select resource persons • Assign topics • Prepare logistics

  10. Writeshop process 2 Draft 1 • Present • Critique • Edit • Draw • Desktop publishing • Draft 2 • Present • Critique • Revise • Redraw • Desktop publishing • Draft 3 • Comments

  11. Writeshop process 3 • Final revisions • Desktop publishing • Publish • Print • Distribute • Use • Evaluate, follow-up

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. Flexibility • Can add other activities • Field trip • Stakeholder discussion forum • Project planning session • Training course • Can piggyback on other activities • Conference • Planning sessions

  15. 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

  16. 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 Size of writeshop

  17. Type of product • Book • Loose-leaf kit • Training materials • Policy brief • Project proposal • Extension booklets • Brochures • Policy?

  18. 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

  19. Writeshop staff • Writeshop coordinator • Facilitators • Editors • Artists • Computers, secretarial • Interpreters

  20. Writeshop coordinator • Focuses on content • Specialist in subject • Conceptualizes book • Develops framework • Guides choice of topics and authors • Develops sample chapter

  21. 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

  22. 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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