NR 705 Week 1 Article – Toolkit for Making Written Material Clear and Effective
Student Name
Chamberlain University
NR-705: DNP Project & Practicum II
Prof. Name
Date
Toolkit for Making Written Material Clear and Effective
The Toolkit for Making Written Material Clear and Effective is a health literacy resource created by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). This 11-part toolkit provides a comprehensive set of strategies designed to make printed written materials more understandable, user-friendly, and applicable for various audiences. Each section of the toolkit addresses a different aspect of communication, ranging from writing style to cultural appropriateness.
Toolkit Structure
The toolkit is divided into 11 key parts. Each part focuses on specific aspects of developing, testing, and improving written materials:
NR 705 Week 1 Article – Toolkit for Making Written Material Clear and Effective
| Toolkit Part | Content Focus |
|---|---|
| Part 1 | Introduction: About the Toolkit and its usefulness |
| Part 2 | Applying a reader-centered approach to develop and test written material |
| Part 3 | Summary of the “Toolkit Guidelines for Writing and Design” |
| Part 4 | Detailed explanation of “Toolkit Guidelines for Writing” |
| Part 5 | Understanding and applying “Toolkit Guidelines for Graphic Design” |
| Part 6 | Collecting and using feedback from readers |
| Part 7 | Cautionary note on using readability formulas |
| Part 8 | Considerations for written material published on websites |
| Part 9 | Guidelines for creating written materials for older adults |
| Part 10 | “Before and After” example: Revising a brochure using Toolkit guidelines |
| Part 11 | Applying “Toolkit Guidelines for Culturally Appropriate Translation” |
How to View the Toolkit
- Toolkit Parts 1–3 and 7–11 consist of single documents.
- Toolkit Parts 4–6 include multiple chapters.
Users can access these resources by selecting either the Toolkit Table of Contents or the specific part number from the navigation bar on the overview page. This makes it easy to locate detailed instructions or chapters relevant to a project.
What do we mean by “written material”?
Written material refers to a wide variety of communication tools that can be used for educational or informational purposes. Examples include:
- Print formats: brochures, pamphlets, booklets, flyers, fact sheets, posters, bookmarks, postcards, and questionnaires.
- Instructional resources: application forms, comparison charts, and instruction sheets.
It is important to note that reading printed material differs significantly from reading digital content. Therefore, this toolkit primarily focuses on printed material, with limited coverage of website-based materials (see Toolkit Part 8).
What audiences are the Toolkit guidelines geared toward?
The primary audience for this toolkit includes individuals enrolled in or eligible for Medicare, Medicaid, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). It is also intended for people who assist or serve these populations, such as:
- Family members and caregivers
- Outreach workers
- Agency staff
- Community organizations
- Healthcare providers
Although these guidelines are designed for CMS-related audiences, they reflect universal principles of clear communication that can be applied to almost any population.
Are the Toolkit guidelines mandatory?
No. The CMS does not require the use of this toolkit. Instead, it is provided as practical assistance to improve clarity and effectiveness of written communication. The guidelines are recommendations rather than strict rules, meaning users can adapt them according to the specific needs of their audience.
Can I save, print, reproduce, or share this Toolkit?
Yes. The toolkit is freely accessible and can be downloaded, saved, printed, or photocopied for personal or professional use. A complete set of downloadable files is available for convenience.
However, users should be aware that:
- Some examples in the toolkit are drawn from published or copyrighted materials.
- While many materials are in the public domain, others require publisher permission for reuse.
- Anyone who intends to use the toolkit’s text excerpts, photos, or illustrations should ensure proper authorization from the copyright holder.
References
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2012). Toolkit for making written material clear and effective. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Outreach/WrittenMaterialsToolkit
NR 705 Week 1 Article – Toolkit for Making Written Material Clear and Effective
National Institutes of Health. (2021). Clear communication: An NIH health literacy initiative. https://www.nih.gov/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/clear-communication