The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) provides services to some 28 million people. Despite the development of new technology, printed materials, in particular leaflets, play an important role in ensuring that customers are informed of services and entitlements. This NAO report examines how effectively the DWP manages the provision of accurate information in its leaflets issued to customers, as well as communicating clearly and effectively about benefits and services. It focuses on how the DWP manages the risks associated with producing and issuing inaccurate leaflets; whether it can ensure that the information in leaflets is accurate and accessible; and whether leaflets are easily available for customers. Findings include that although the DWP has made progress in improving the design of some leaflets, it could go further to make them easier for the public to understand and get hold of, as well as improving checks on the accuracy of leaflets and its supply and printing arrangements so that the most recent versions are widely available.

Provides the basic, practical information needed to plan and implement sound collections care programs or incorporate preservation principles into an existing program.

This book develops a new framework for describing the structure of multimodal documents: how language, image, layout and other modes of communication work together to convey meaning. Building on recent research in multimodal analysis, functional linguistics and information design, the book examines the textual, visual, and spatial aspects of page-based multimodal documents and employs an analytical model to describe and interpret their structure using the concepts of semiotic modes, medium and genre. To demonstrate and test this approach, the study performs a systematic, longitudinal analysis of a corpus of multimodal documents within a single genre: an extensively annotated corpus of tourist brochures produced between 1967-2008. The book provides multimodal discourse analysts with methodological tools to draw empirically-based conclusions about multimodal documents, and will be a valuable resource for researchers planning to develop and study multimodal corpora.

Court of Appeal Case(s): H005466

Leaflets, information sheets and written materials designed to influence people′s health-related behaviours often fail to achieve their aims. To improve such written materials we need to understand: (i) how people read and process information, (ii) how to design persuasive messages, (iii) how to make written text easy to use and (iv) how to change behaviour. Writing for Health Communication: An Evidence-Based Guide for Professionals is a practical guide to producing effective written materials. The book presents easy-to-understand, evidence-based guidance on providing information, presenting persuasive messages and promoting behaviour change. Topics include: - Message framing, - Use of fear appeals, - Tailoring messages, - Using graphics, - Behaviour change Each chapter is illustrated with examples - including both good and bad practice and covering a range of health topics. For students and professionals in healthcare, health psychology, health education and promotion, and public health, Writing for Health Communication: An Evidence-Based Guide for Professionals is an invaluable guide to best practice.