Lists

• “Just as prose depends on sentence structure, the basic structure of documents can be described in terms of lists, combined lists, intersecting lists, and nested lists.”
• Lists are the “building blocks of documents”
• The list is
  –a central element in document design
  –a universal way of organizing information
  (Document Literacy by Julian Evetts)

• In fact, you cannot teach document literacy without teaching about lists.

Document Use Strategy

• Document Use Profile
  –Read tables, schedules, or other table like text
  –Example: shift schedule
• Lesson on intersecting lists
  –Begin with TV guide as an example.
  –Use actual workplace shift schedules.

• I often begin with examples of documents that are used every day such as the TV guide.
• Keep in mind that when you are teaching documents that you are not teaching the content. Rather, you are teaching how to get to the content. You are teaching the structure.
• You can always call on content experts, those in the field, to help teach the content.

Document Use Strategy

• Discussion from workplace
  –Read forestry maps.
• Lesson on map reading
  –Begin with simple maps.
  –Bring in content expert to show how to read complex forestry maps.

• Teach how to read simple maps if relevant.
• Progress to complex maps and ask for help if you need it.