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Use pair writing to work together with subject matter experts
agile content conf19 January 2015
Content microtest
Content microtest• Test before publishing with one user• The user gets two questions, takes 10-15 minutes
The technique was developed by Laura Arlov from The Norwegian Tax Authority to help writers create content that users understand.
Step #1:Read the title and
description. Think of 3-4 questions you
expect will be answered on this
page.
DementiaGet advice from professionals.
The first signs of dementia are often vague, and it may therefore be difficultto make a diagnosis. Many people with dementia say that they areexperiencing things that were simple, has become more difficult.
Some of the early signs of dementia are:
What can you do?Are you worried if you or a loved one has dementia, you should contact aGP. It can take time to make a diagnosis of dementia. Before contacting aGP, you may want to think through, and note a few key words about thesepoints:
reduced attention and concentration: You may think it's been difficultto follow a conversation.
�
memory failure: You experience a sudden feeling to have forgottenwhat you have done earlier in the day.
�
language problems: You may have trouble remembering what thingsare called.
�
sudden moments of confusion: You might find that you lose track,even in simple everyday situations.
�
situations you have experienced that has made you worried�
if you've talked to the person you are worried�
if you want to be with the doctor�
Step #2: Highlight where
your questions are answered. Does the content meet
the need?
DementiaGet advice from professionals.
The first signs of dementia are often vague, and it may therefore be difficultto make a diagnosis. Many people with dementia say that they areexperiencing things that were simple, has become more difficult.
Some of the early signs of dementia are:
What can you do?Are you worried if you or a loved one has dementia, you should contact aGP. It can take time to make a diagnosis of dementia. Before contacting aGP, you may want to think through, and note a few key words about thesepoints:
reduced attention and concentration: You may think it's been difficultto follow a conversation.
�
memory failure: You experience a sudden feeling to have forgottenwhat you have done earlier in the day.
�
language problems: You may have trouble remembering what thingsare called.
�
sudden moments of confusion: You might find that you lose track,even in simple everyday situations.
�
situations you have experienced that has made you worried�
if you've talked to the person you are worried�
if you want to be with the doctor�
Step #2: Highlight where
your questions are answered. Does the content meet
the need?
DementiaGet advice from professionals.
The first signs of dementia are often vague, and it may therefore be difficultto make a diagnosis. Many people with dementia say that they areexperiencing things that were simple, has become more difficult.
Some of the early signs of dementia are:
What can you do?Are you worried if you or a loved one has dementia, you should contact aGP. It can take time to make a diagnosis of dementia. Before contacting aGP, you may want to think through, and note a few key words about thesepoints:
reduced attention and concentration: You may think it's been difficultto follow a conversation.
�
memory failure: You experience a sudden feeling to have forgottenwhat you have done earlier in the day.
�
language problems: You may have trouble remembering what thingsare called.
�
sudden moments of confusion: You might find that you lose track,even in simple everyday situations.
�
situations you have experienced that has made you worried�
if you've talked to the person you are worried�
if you want to be with the doctor�
Step #2: Highlight where
your questions are answered. Does the content meet
the need?
Feedback on needs, not
grammar
Cheap, fast
Can be done over the phone:
Send title/description and the rest of the
copy in separate emails
2008-2010:Web editor for The Norwegian Directorate for Children, Youth and Family Affairs
6000 employees
200 employees with access to CMS
3 websites
... me
Jakob Nielsen’s «F pattern»
So I printed the website...
Pair writing
Why pair writing?• The team thinks before publishing• It forces authors to stay focused• It helps colleagues form a mutual understanding of their content• It results in a more uniform tone• It allows authors to share best practices in regards to writing for the web
Web writing
workshop(ca 1948)
Pair writing!
Inspired by pair
programming
http://bit.ly/acc-prog (PDF)
Case study:Norwegian Cancer Society
Warning!
Cancer Diseases ▶ Skin
cancer ▶ Prevent Skin Cancer
Cancer Diseases ▶ Skin
cancer ▶ Prevent Skin Cancer
Prevention ▶ Sun and solarium ▶ Prevent Skin
Cancer
2012 2014
80%fewer pages
– More people contact the cancer line now than before, but now they’re more informed when they contact usAnine Wiig DagestadWeb editor and cancer nurse
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Cancer line conversations+40%
Launch
Pair writing1. Bring people together and pair them up2. Decide on a need3. Group feedback4. Write!5. Present a draft6. Continue writing
Step #1: Bring people together and pair them up
Before writing, each pair has to answer these questions.
• Which objective will this page help us achieve?
• What are the user needs?
Step #2: Decide on
a need
Before writing, each pair has to answer these questions.
• Which objective will this page help us achieve?
• What are the user needs?
Step #2: Decide on
a needObjective: Increased knowledge about symptoms and
early diagnosis of dementia
Before writing, each pair has to answer these questions.
• Which objective will this page help us achieve?
• What are the user needs?
Step #2: Decide on
a needObjective: Increased knowledge about symptoms and
early diagnosis of dementia
User needs: Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Step #3: Group
feedback
Step #4: Write!
Step #4: Write!
– What do you mean by that?
Step #4: Write!
– Can you read that out loud?
– What do you mean by that?
Initial drafts focus on most important
need
Step #5: Present a
draft
Step #6: Switch roles
and continue writing
No cruft, justneeds
Example from City of Oslo
Pair writing1. Bring people together and pair them up2. Decide on a need3. Group feedback4. Write!5. Present a draft6. Continue writing
Pair writing helps you write to
meet the need
Pair writing is outside some
people’s comfort zone, but the results are
worth it
It teaches you to focus on the need first,
then the words
When you practise pair
writing, you can't remember who wrote each sentence. You
have shared ownership.
Pair writing helps you find
common ground
