Follow the steps below as you discuss the documents of your group members, one at a time:
- Before you read anything, decide whether the document’s appearance welcomes the non-specialist reader.
- Is there a catchy or informative title?
- Is the format reader-friendly? (paragraphs, topic sentences, sentence length, space)
- Does the format reflect the conventions of the genre, whether an Op-Ed piece, a news release or an essay for Ashdown Newsletter?
- After reading the document, do you understand the concept?
- Is the language accessible?
- Is the use of jargon purposeful?
- Can you answer the question “Why should I care about this topic?”?
- How did the author help you in your understanding of the concept and its importance?
- Are the original sources for data or information provided where needed?
- What suggestions do you have for the author to make the document more reader-friendly?
- Add examples, analogies, word pictures?
- Create a better “hook” in the title or in the first paragraph?
- Include diagrams or photos?
- Reduce jargon or complex data?
- Improve readability by modifying writing style and word choice?
- Have you noticed any problems with coherence, word choice, tone or punctuation?
- Provide concrete examples.
