Ways of structuring documents

1. Ways of structuring documents Paul MundyIndependent specialist in development communication paul@mamud.com www.mamud.com, www.writeshops.org

2. Structures of case-based texts Introduction Case Case Case Introduction Case Case Case Analysis Intro topic 1 Cases Analysis Intro topic 2 Cases Analysis Intro topic 3 Cases Analysis Introduction Framework Overall analysis Introduction Framework Topic 1 Boxes Topic 2 Boxes Topic 3 Boxes Overall analysis

3. Title Structure of a case study Results (what happened as a result) Author Evidence (data) Lead (interesting start to attract readers) Analysis (what you learned) Key paragraph (billboard paragraph, nut graf: what the case is about) Recommendations (what to do next time) More information (where to go for more info) Background (what the problem was) Story (what you did)

4. Lead Focus Situation Intervention Analysis Problem Results Structure of a case study

5. Content The masthead (the series title) Authors Acknowledgements Publication details References Structure of a policy brief Plus… And… Title Summary Recommendations Introduction The body (the main text) Policy implications Conclusions Boxes and sidebars Cases Tables Graphics Photographs

6. Inverted pyramid Headline The lead: the most important information: 5 Ws and H Necessary information Other important information Identity paragraph The body Contact details Further details Possible additions Photographs Supporting data

7. Wineglass Headline The lead: the most important information: 5 Ws and H Necessary information Other important information Identity paragraph The body Contact details Further details Possible additions Photographs New insight (“kicker”, “sting in the tail”) Supporting data

8. Diamond Focus on an individual Broaden to describe larger issue he/she illustrates Conclude by returning to individual (or other strong close)

9. Hamburger structure of feature story Lead Introduces the subject, grabs the reader’s attention, gives the focus of the story First item Each item or paragraph in the body has a key sentence, followed by evidence or explanation. Transitions smooth the passage from one item to the next Transition Body Second item Transition Conclusion Third item Sums up story, wraps up loose ends, leaves the reader with a single thought

10. Problem–Action–Results: Three sentences What was the problem? Problem Action What did you do about it? Results What happened as a result?

11. Problem–Action–Results story structure Lead Introduces the subject, grabs attention Focus What is the story about? Problem Problem What was the problem? How serious? Background What caused problem? What results? Who are the key actors? How did they get involved? Actors Action What did they do? How did they do it? Who else was involved? What problems did they encounter? How did they overcome them? Intervention What were the results of the intervention? How many people have benefited? Have the benefits spread? Results Can the approach be used elsewhere? What problems still remain? What can you recommend for the future? What was learned? Results Analysis What can you recommend for the future? What did you learn? Conclusion

12. Time travel 9 Dec 4-6 Dec Current event Things that led up to the event 10 Dec Outcome

13. Sketch and detail

14. Jigsaw

15. Lead–Quotes–Conclusion story structure Lead Introduces the subject, grabs the reader’s attention Focus What is the story about? Quote Build the story around a series of quotations Identify each speaker, and add an explanation of what they said if necessary Include a transition or further explanation before the next quote Quote Quote Con-clusion Sums up story, wraps up loose ends, leaves the reader with a single thought

16. Three-minute presentation Introduction Evidence Statement Example Hope for this… You have 3 minutes to say this! Action desired Discussion Follow-up