Paul Mundy www.mamud.com

Writeshops to produce information materials

Getting information out of heads and onto paper…in a form that normal mortals can understand

Writeshops

Intensive 3 days–2 weeks 20–40 participants

Scientists, extension, NGOs, indigenous specialists, farmers, teachers…

Wide range of expertise and interests

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

Some publications produced through

writeshops

Sample topicChapters 5-7 pages long

Simple but attractive design

Start with human-interest story

Illustration

Sample topic

Box for info that does not fit well into main text

Frequent headings, short paragraphs

Bulleted lists

Easy-to-read, journalistic style

Sample pageEthnoveterinary medicine in Asia

• Short chapters (“topics”)

• Clear, concise, easy to understand

• Standard format• Illustrations

Writeshop process

Preparation

Writeshop

Final revisions

Publish

Writeshop process 1

Preparation Identify broad theme Identify topics Select resource persons Assign topics Prepare logistics

Writeshop process 2

Draft 1 Present Critique Edit Draw Desktop

publishing Draft 3• Comments

Draft 2• Present• Critique• Revise• Redraw• Desktop

publishing

Writeshop process 3

Final revisions Desktop publishing

Publish Print Distribute Use

Evaluate, follow-up

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

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

Flexibility

Can add other activities Field trip Stakeholder discussion forum Project planning session Training course

Can piggyback on other activities Conference Planning sessions

Size of writeshop

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

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

Type of product

Book Loose-leaf kit Training materials Policy brief Project proposal Extension booklets Brochures Policy?

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

Writeshop staff

Writeshop coordinator Facilitators Editors Artists Computers, secretarial Interpreters

Writeshop coordinator

Focuses on content Specialist in subject Conceptualizes book Develops framework Guides choice of topics and authors Develops sample chapter

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

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