Section Four

Some Good Examples

Example One is from Taking Care, by Mary J. Breen. It uses question and answer format, and clear everyday language. The numbered list and bold type highlight the four ways that AIDS can be spread.

Example Two is from the Canadian Legal Information Council. It is an excellent example of a legally binding contract written in straightforward language. It could be used as is or adapted for your own situation.

Example Three was produced by the Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox and Addington Health Unit. The titles and sub-titles are clear and highlight important information. Every community has a letter like this that is sent home from the school. Perhaps your local health unit would like to adapt this text for their own use.

Example Four is from Is Work Making You Sick? published by the Labour Occupational Health Program, University of California at Berkeley, 1989. It shows how to produce material effectively in two languages. Each page is complete, and the photos provide the cue to tell a new reader that the information is being repeated.

Example Five shows you how to set up a glossary if you must use technical terms in the text. It is taken from What you need to know about Unemployment Insurance, Employment and Immigration Canada, 1988.

Example Six shows you the original and two revised versions of an important letter. Note the following changes:
    the legal language has been removed
    the information has been reorganized
    the most important information has been placed at the beginning so the reader knows what he or she          must do.
Example Six - Typset Version shows how a change in typestyle and professional layout improves the letter further.