Stan Stenersen

Helping Staff to WriteEffective ReportsStan Stenersen, Presenter

Purpose of Presentation Examine key problems and issues thatcan hinder effective writing Offer perspective on these problemsand issues Suggest matters for your considerationas you evaluate your organization’sstrategy for empowering writers

Report Review Exercise Strengths? Weaknesses?5 Ideal4 Above average3 Good enough to go2 Needs some work1 Needs a lot of work

Common Obstacles?

Common Obstacles Mismatch between training and need Infrequent writing Turnover “Black hole” of report review Promotions and reassignments Lack of a writing vocabulary

“Busy Reader” Concerns?

“Busy Reader” Concerns Brevity Hierarchy: whole toparts “Human factor”:interest in anecdoteand example Nonexpertapproach tolearning

“Other” Concerns?

“Other” Concerns Completeness andaccuracy Concern forprocess: parts first,then whole “Number factor”:interest in data Expert approach tolearning

Contrasts in the ConcernsBusy reader Brevity Whole to parts “Human factor” Nonexpertapproach tolearningOther Completeness Parts to whole “Number factor” Expert approachto learning

Contrasts in the DirectionsMake it shorter

Contrasts in the DirectionsMake it shorterAdd explanation

Contrasts in the DirectionsMake it shorterCut detailAdd explanation

Contrasts in the DirectionsMake it shorterCut detailAdd explanationAdd detail

Contrasts in the DirectionsMake it shorterCut detailMake it clearerAdd explanationAdd detail

Contrasts in the DirectionsMake it shorterCut detailMake it clearerAdd explanationAdd detailMake it reference

Contrasts in the DirectionsMake it shorterCut detailMake it clearerMake it persuasiveAdd explanationAdd detailMake it reference

Contrasts in the DirectionsMake it shorterCut detailMake it clearerMake it persuasiveAdd explanationAdd detailMake it referenceStick to the facts

Potential Steps?

Potential StepsTrainingModels and examplesOpportunity to act as reviewerMentoring

Training ConsiderationsFamiliarity with writing style andapproachTools for message developmentas well as message presentationUnderstanding of reviewFramework for discussingproductsExamples

Structured Review Small group (4-6) reviewing eachothers’ work Writing samples should preferablybe in process rather thancompleted Review is segmented so that eachreviewer has a separate role

MentoringRewriterEditorCoach

Purpose of Presentation Examine key problems and issues thatcan hinder effective writing Offer perspective on these problemsand issues Suggest matters for your considerationas you evaluate your organization’sstrategy for empowering writers

Potential StepsTrainingModels and examplesOpportunity to act as reviewerMentoring