Page 287 - The Creative Training Idea Book Inspired Tips and Techniques for Engaging and Effective Learning

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276 The Creative Training Idea Book
Spacing and Margins
A general tip when creating written materials is to leave plenty of white space. This aids
ease of reading and provides areas for writing notes. Most people use 1-inch margins at
the top, bottom, and on each side of text pages. They also leave blank line space between
key points and paragraphs. Headers typically have at least two blank line spaces above
and one below so that they stand out. Subheadings usually have one blank line space
above and below them. If you are going to bind (e.g., put in a notebook, glue, or staple)
a participant workbook, leave at least 1 ⁄2–2 inches on the left margin so that partici-
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pants can easily read the beginning of sentences once the material is bound.

BRIGHT I DEA
Provide Note Space
hen creating multiple-page participant workbooks or guides, leave plenty
Wof white space on pages. Also, consider including blank pages that have a
graphic border with a header NOTES. If you are using a chapter or section format
for your guide, leave at least one of these per chapter. If there are no distinct section
breaks, insert a few note pages throughout the guide. There is a sample NOTES
page in the Tools for Trainers section of the appendices at the end of each chapter.

Text Length
Although there is no hard and fast rule on the length of sentences and paragraphs,
your goal should be ease of reading, holding participant interest, and comprehension.
To achieve this when writing, keep your average sentence length to between 20 and 30
words. Anything longer may require rewriting. Making sentences too complex limits
their effectiveness and can confuse readers.
Related to sentence length, pay attention to the length and complexity of paragraphs.
Remember that paragraphs should contain only one key idea or focus. You can reduce
paragraph length by limiting the number of key points or subordinate clauses, which
are separated by commas.
New paragraphs are set off by either indenting the first line, or by separating it from
the previous paragraph by a single blank line.

Adding Artwork

There are many software packages and books that provide cartoons, pictures, borders,
creative fonts, and other graphics that you can use to make your visual message sizzle
(see Resources for Trainers in the appendices). Visual images can reinforce the meaning
of your written message or enhance what you are saying. Use care to select images that
complement or are in congruence with the words.