TIPS ON...
Preparing handouts
Authors: Alka S Ahuja
Publication date: 05 Aug 2006
Have you ever created a handout at the last minute before a teaching session? We often prepare them hastily without considering elements that make them most effective. Here are some tips on preparing a good handout.
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Plan handouts while planning your session
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PowerPoint is a useful tool for creating handouts
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Set off distinct parts of the handout using italics, shading, bold, or underlining
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Use plain English, avoiding jargon and waffle
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Illustrations can make your handout more reader friendly; clip art is simple and easy to use
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Use bulleted lists to make them easier to scan and understand
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Leave a margin of at least 2 cm on every side
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Serif fonts (such as Times New Roman) are more distinctive in print than sans serif fonts (such as Arial)
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Restrict yourself to three fonts in a single handout
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Give specific information which students need for future reference
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Make handouts interactive by leaving space for results of brainstorms and discussions
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Including small tasks and questions in the handouts often helps to keep the crowd awake and active
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Never make handouts self explanatory—instead leave space allowing students to annotate and add their own notes
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Include helpful websites or tips for finding additional information
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Include contact information, preferably an email address
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Make copies of the handouts ahead of time to avoid problems such as running out of paper and photocopiers breaking down
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Try to judge the best time to give them out—opinions differ on when is the best time
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Try to update them regularly
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Say no more than necessary—saying too much ruins an otherwise good handout
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Remember where you store your handouts on your computer—it will save you hours one or two years down the line ■
Alka S Ahuja consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust Alka.Ahuja@gwent.wales.nhs.uk
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