[NIFL-WORKPLACE:317] Re: Effect of clearer contraceptive pill

From: Joseph Goulart (goulartj@home.com)
Date: Mon Oct 08 2001 - 22:32:52 EDT


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From: "Joseph Goulart" <goulartj@home.com>
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Subject: [NIFL-WORKPLACE:317] Re: Effect of clearer contraceptive pill
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Hi Dave --
I thought this was very interesting. I spent an hour or so trying to find
additional info on the wording change and the effect it had. Was anyone else
aware of anything or able to come up with something? So many times documents
are written above the average reading level which basically turns them into
"advanced jargon"! I guess it all depends upon who is writing the piece and
their understanding of the intended audience.
-Dolly Goulart



----------
>From: df@wordcentre.co.uk
>To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-workplace@literacy.nifl.gov>
>Subject: [NIFL-WORKPLACE:307] Effect of clearer contraceptive pill instructions
>Date: Fri, Sep 21, 2001, 2:07 AM
>

> Hello all
>
> I've recentlly come across an anecdote stating that the incidence of
> unwanted teen pregnancies in the US dropped dramatically when the
> instructions for starting to take contraceptive pills was changed.  According
> to the story, the original wording was at college level and said:
>
> 'Contraceptive efficacy should not be assumed until after seven consecutive
> days of adiministration.'
>
> The revised wording was:
>
> 'Use another method of birth control as a backup from teh Sunday you start
> your first pack until the next Sunday.'
>
> Does anyone know when this happened, and what the actual 'before and
> after' figures were?  This would make quite a powerful seminar example if it
> could be supported by hard facts.
>
> Many thanks.
>
> Dave Fox
>
> The Word Centre
> Success through plain English
>
> df@wordcentre.co.uk
> http://www.wordcentre.co.uk
>
> "Because clear documents make you clearly better to do business with"



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