I gave this talk at Confab Higher Ed 2013. In higher ed, it's easy to assume we have an educated audience and we don't need to spend a lot of time worrying about whether we're clear. But it's easy to be misunderstood -- we don't have the same context as our audience.
9. Find the time a TV program ends,
using a newspaper TV schedule
that lists similar programs
showing at different times
on different channels.
Source: National Assessment of Adult Literacy
10. List two facts from
a business magazine article that
explain why a marketer quoted
has a particular opinion.
Source: National Assessment of Adult Literacy
11. Find the age range when children
should get a particular vaccine,
using a chart that shows
all childhood vaccines
and the ages children
should receive them.
Source: National Assessment of Adult Literacy
16. Health Literacy of U.S. Adults
Source: U.S.Department of Education, Institute of Education Sciences,National Center for Education Statistics, 2003 National Assessment of Adult Literacy.
32. Loans
Students apply for consideration for __________ Direct Loans, Federal
Perkins Loans, __________ UA institutional loans by completing
__________ FAFSA.
A Federal Direct Subsidized __________ Loan is awarded on the
__________ of the student's financial need __________ other specific
eligibility requirements. The __________ government does not charge
interest __________ these loans while borrowers are __________ at least
half-time, during a __________ grace period, or during authorized
__________ of deferment.
The interest subsidy __________ during the six-month grace period
__________ subsidized loans is eliminated for __________ loans made
between July 1, 2012 and ___________. Loan repayment still begins six
__________ after you are no longer __________ at least half-time, but
interest __________ accrues during those six months __________ no
longer be subsidized by __________ federal government. The student will
__________ responsible for the interest during __________ grace period.
33. w
Loans
Students apply for consideration for __________ Direct Loans, Federal
Federal
Perkins Loans, __________ UA institutional loans by completing
and
the
__________ FAFSA.
A Federal Direct Subsidized __________ Loan is awarded on the
Stafford
__________ of the student's financial need __________ other specific
basis
and
eligibility requirements. The __________ government does not charge
federal
interest __________ these loans while borrowers are __________ at least
on
enrolled
half-time, during asix-monthgrace period, or during authorized periods
__________
____
______ of deferment.
offered
The interest subsidy __________ during the six-month grace period
__________ subsidized loans is eliminated for __________ loans made
on
new
between July 1, 2012 andJuly 1, 2014 Loan repayment still begins six
___________.
__________ after you are no longer __________ at least half-time, but
months
enrolled
interest __________ accrues during those six months __________ no
that
will
longer be subsidized by __________ federal government. The student will
the
__________ responsible for the interest during __________ grace period.
be
the
38. Language and Writing Style
Use simple words.
Define complex terms.
Use sentences of 10-15 words.
Use bullet lists when appropriate.
Use active voice, vivid verbs.
Use consistent terms.
Use positive perspective when possible.
Source: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/etr.html