These are Michael Johnny's slides that were used for the August 14, 2015 Clear Language Writing training webinar for NeuroDevNet trainees. This webinar constitutes Step 1 of the *new* clear language/ResearchSnapshot writing process for NeuroDevNet's KT Core.

1. 1
Knowledge Translation and
Clear Language Writing
August 14, 2015
Michael Johnny
Manager, Knowledge Mobilization

2. 2
Overview
1. What is KMb/KT?
2. Clear Language Writing and Design - ResearchSnapshots
3. Questions?

3. 3
Assumptions
Problem statements
1. Research in Canada has an opportunity to help
inform issues of public policy, professional
practice and further research.
2. Communication is a barrier around
collaboration and the utilization of research.
Clear language research summaries are one
tool to break down this barrier.

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1. KT is purposeful. It is aimed to support specific
outcomes.
2. KT is social. There is action and activity.
3. Knowledge: “The socialization of data and
information”
4. Mobilization: “Is not ‘the battle’. It is making sure we
have what we need for the battle.”
www.knowledgemobilization.net
So, what do I think I know about KT/KMb

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Clear Language Writing and Design
Clear language is an approach to communication
that puts the reader first and focuses on action

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Clear Language Writing and Design
What is Clear Language?
1. Uses writing your audience knows
2. Gives readers information they need
3. Combines what you write with how you write
4. Uses design to help readers understand content

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Terms that have different meanings for
scientists and the general public
Scientific Term Public Meaning Better Choice
Scheme Devious Plot Systematic Plan
Bias Distortion, Political Motive Offset from an Observation
Positive Trend Good Trend Upward Trend
Manipulation Illicit Tampering Scientific Data Processing
Uncertainty Ignorance Range
Theory Hunch, Speculation Scientific Understanding
Enhance Improve Intensify, Increase
Aerosol Spray Can Tiny Atmospheric Particle
Values Ethics, Monetary Value Numbers, Quantity
Source – RC Somerville, SJ Hassol (2011). Communicating the Science of Climate
Change

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Clear Language Writing and Design
6 Step Process
1. Thinking
2. Planning
3. Writing
4. Designing
5. Testing
6. Revising

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Clear Language Writing and Design
Thinking
• Know your reader
• Know your purpose
• Know your intended impact
For ResearchSnapshots
• General audience (diverse
audiences, no assumptions
around knowledge base)
• Purposes: to inform; to
facilitate relationships; to help
inform action
• Desired Impact: increased
access to research

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Clear Language Writing and Design
Planning
• Essential information
• Order
• Tone
• Style
• Format
• Design

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Clear Language Writing and Design
Writing
• Put the most important ideas near the beginning
• Avoid jargon, abbreviations,
• Use concrete, specific words
• Vary the sentence length
• Use simple, complete sentences
• Paragraphs – 3-5 sentences
• Write in active voice

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Clear Language Writing and Design
Design
• Highlight text – Q&A, check lists, point form, tables
• Font type – serif style fonts are easier to read
• Font size – consistent difference between text and headings
• Margins – left justification is easier to read than full or no justification

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Clear Language Writing and Design
Test and Revise
• Flesch-Kincaid
Readability on a grade level scale
bit.ly/1J6SaxX
• Fog Index
Less than 12 for general audience
http://gunning-fog-index.com/
• Fry Readability
Fry Readability formula assigns approximate grade reading level to passage of text
http://go.nationalpartnership.org/site/DocServer/Fry_Readability_Formula.pdf
• Where possible, have a colleague/friend review and edit

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Clear Language Writing and Design
ResearchSnapshots
What is this about?
What did the researchers do?
What do you need to know?
What did the researchers find?
How can you use this?
About the Researcher

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Clear Language Writing and Design
ResearchSnapshots – How to Prepare a Summary?
1. Headline – The ‘Hook’ which will grab the reader
• Base it on a shocking finding from the study
• Make the headline a question which the summary answers
• Simplify the title of the article
• Avoid academic title, this is a parallel process and will complement the
existing academic work

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Clear Language Writing and Design
ResearchSnapshots – How to Prepare a Summary?
2. What is this research about? – Built from the introduction of the article
• Communicate the importance of the topic
• Define any terms which are required
• Objective – bring your reader ‘up-to-speed’ on the topic
• Focus on this as a single study, not within the body of literature. It saves
space and reflects the intent of the Snapshot

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Clear Language Writing and Design
ResearchSnapshots – How to Prepare a Summary?
3. What did the researchers do? - Built from the methods of the article
• Seek to be clear and concise
• Generic is best

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Clear Language Writing and Design
ResearchSnapshots – How to Prepare a Summary?
4. What did the researchers find? - Built from the results of the article
• Layout determined by the nature of the results
• If there are more than 3 main findings, use bullet point lists
• Bullets help with word count and provide a strong visual presentation to
results

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Clear Language Writing and Design
ResearchSnapshots – How to Prepare a Summary?
5. How you can use this research? – Who can use this research and why
• Historically this has been the most challenging section for our writers
• Abstract may provide some information, along with introduction/conclusion
• Consider multiple audiences where possible

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Clear Language Writing and Design
ResearchSnapshots – How to Prepare a Summary?
6. What you need to know?
• About 40-50 words
• If a reader reads headline and this section will they understand the essence
of the article?
• If your headline is a question, this section should answer it

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Clear Language Writing and Design
ResearchSnapshots
• Based on clear language principles, not rules or laws
• 500-600 words
• Design is just as important as the content
• The testing and revising sections are important. Try to make time for those.
• The more you do this the better you will get at it

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Michael Johnny
mjohnny@yorku.ca
www.researchimpact.ca
@KMbYork