[NIFL-HEALTH:3474] Who was it written for?

From: Dwyoho@aol.com
Date: Thu Nov 29 2001 - 16:12:54 EST


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In a message dated 11/29/2001 9:29:10 AM Eastern Standard Time, 
bertiemo@yahoo.com writes:


> I was met with the argument that every
> element was required by the donors. Doesn't matter
> that the document was so long as to put people to
> sleep.
> 

I think you have hit on something that lies at the heart of commuicating with 
low literacy readers.  Too often, too much of what is offered was written not 
to benefit the reader, but to benefit the writer.  When regulations, 
mandates, risk of a lawsuit, or just oiling a screeching wheel are really 
behind the communication, the low literacy reader is out of luck.  The very 
first question to answer with any written item is "who is the intended 
audience, really?"

Deborah W. Yoho
Co-moderator, NIFL Health Literacy Discussion Group
Chief Executive Officer
Greater Columbia Literacy Council
921 Woodrow Street  
Columbia, SC  29205
803/765-2555   dwyoho@aol.com



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