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Use pair writing to work together with subject matter experts
agile content conf19 January 2015
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Content microtest
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Content microtest• Test before publishing with one user• The user gets two questions, takes 10-15 minutes
The technique was developed by Laura Arlov from The Norwegian Tax Authority to help writers create content that users understand.
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Step #1:Read the title and
description. Think of 3-4 questions you
expect will be answered on this
page.
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DementiaGet advice from professionals.
The first signs of dementia are often vague, and it may therefore be difficultto make a diagnosis. Many people with dementia say that they areexperiencing things that were simple, has become more difficult.
Some of the early signs of dementia are:
What can you do?Are you worried if you or a loved one has dementia, you should contact aGP. It can take time to make a diagnosis of dementia. Before contacting aGP, you may want to think through, and note a few key words about thesepoints:
reduced attention and concentration: You may think it's been difficultto follow a conversation.
�
memory failure: You experience a sudden feeling to have forgottenwhat you have done earlier in the day.
�
language problems: You may have trouble remembering what thingsare called.
�
sudden moments of confusion: You might find that you lose track,even in simple everyday situations.
�
situations you have experienced that has made you worried�
if you've talked to the person you are worried�
if you want to be with the doctor�
Step #2: Highlight where
your questions are answered. Does the content meet
the need?
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DementiaGet advice from professionals.
The first signs of dementia are often vague, and it may therefore be difficultto make a diagnosis. Many people with dementia say that they areexperiencing things that were simple, has become more difficult.
Some of the early signs of dementia are:
What can you do?Are you worried if you or a loved one has dementia, you should contact aGP. It can take time to make a diagnosis of dementia. Before contacting aGP, you may want to think through, and note a few key words about thesepoints:
reduced attention and concentration: You may think it's been difficultto follow a conversation.
�
memory failure: You experience a sudden feeling to have forgottenwhat you have done earlier in the day.
�
language problems: You may have trouble remembering what thingsare called.
�
sudden moments of confusion: You might find that you lose track,even in simple everyday situations.
�
situations you have experienced that has made you worried�
if you've talked to the person you are worried�
if you want to be with the doctor�
Step #2: Highlight where
your questions are answered. Does the content meet
the need?
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DementiaGet advice from professionals.
The first signs of dementia are often vague, and it may therefore be difficultto make a diagnosis. Many people with dementia say that they areexperiencing things that were simple, has become more difficult.
Some of the early signs of dementia are:
What can you do?Are you worried if you or a loved one has dementia, you should contact aGP. It can take time to make a diagnosis of dementia. Before contacting aGP, you may want to think through, and note a few key words about thesepoints:
reduced attention and concentration: You may think it's been difficultto follow a conversation.
�
memory failure: You experience a sudden feeling to have forgottenwhat you have done earlier in the day.
�
language problems: You may have trouble remembering what thingsare called.
�
sudden moments of confusion: You might find that you lose track,even in simple everyday situations.
�
situations you have experienced that has made you worried�
if you've talked to the person you are worried�
if you want to be with the doctor�
Step #2: Highlight where
your questions are answered. Does the content meet
the need?
Feedback on needs, not
grammar
Cheap, fast
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Can be done over the phone:
Send title/description and the rest of the
copy in separate emails
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2008-2010:Web editor for The Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs
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6000 employees
200 employees with access to CMS
3 websites
... me
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Jakob Nielsen’s «F pattern»
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So I printed the website...
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Pair writing
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Why pair writing?• The team thinks before publishing• It forces authors to stay focused• It helps colleagues form a mutual understanding of their content• It results in a more uniform tone• It allows authors to share best practices in regards to writing for the web
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Web writing
workshop(ca 1948)
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Pair writing!
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Inspired by pair
programming
http://bit.ly/acc-prog (PDF)
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Case study:Norwegian Cancer Society
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Warning!
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Cancer Diseases ▶ Skin
cancer ▶ Prevent Skin Cancer
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Cancer Diseases ▶ Skin
cancer ▶ Prevent Skin Cancer
Prevention ▶ Sun and solarium ▶ Prevent Skin
Cancer
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2012 2014
80%fewer pages
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– More people contact the cancer line now than before, but now they’re more informed when they contact usAnine Wiig DagestadWeb editor and cancer nurse
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2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Cancer line conversations+40%
Launch
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Pair writing1. Bring people together and pair them up2. Decide on a need3. Group feedback4. Write!5. Present a draft6. Continue writing
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Step #1: Bring people together and pair them up
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Before writing, each pair has to answer these questions.
• Which objective will this page help us achieve?
• What are the user needs?
Step #2: Decide on
a need
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Before writing, each pair has to answer these questions.
• Which objective will this page help us achieve?
• What are the user needs?
Step #2: Decide on
a needObjective: Increased knowledge about symptoms and
early diagnosis of dementia
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Before writing, each pair has to answer these questions.
• Which objective will this page help us achieve?
• What are the user needs?
Step #2: Decide on
a needObjective: Increased knowledge about symptoms and
early diagnosis of dementia
User needs: Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
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Step #3: Group
feedback
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Step #4: Write!
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Step #4: Write!
– What do you mean by that?
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Step #4: Write!
– Can you read that out loud?
– What do you mean by that?
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Initial drafts focus on most important
need
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Step #5: Present a
draft
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Step #6: Switch roles
and continue writing
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No cruft, justneeds
Example from City of Oslo
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Pair writing1. Bring people together and pair them up2. Decide on a need3. Group feedback4. Write!5. Present a draft6. Continue writing
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Pair writing helps you write to
meet the need
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Pair writing is outside some
people’s comfort zone, but the results are
worth it
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It teaches you to focus on the need first,
then the words
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When you practise pair
writing, you can't remember who wrote each sentence. You
have shared ownership.
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Pair writing helps you find
common ground