Interpretive Copy Writing and Interpretation Writing

Interpretive Copy Writing

If your interpretive copy writing, whether it be panels, live presentation or interactive media is boring, then you can be sure of one thing.... its NOT interpretive!

HDC are fully qualified NAI interpretation copy writers and NPS interpretation copy writers

After writing several hundred interpretive master plans, thousands of lines of audio scripts, label copy and text for indoor and outdoor interpretive exhibits, not to mention a few text books and training manuals – we think that we have developed and honed the specialist skills and techniques to write and design interpretation that that really connects with visitors, whatever the media used.

Interpretation Copy Writing Tips

Unfortunately, most so-called interpretive writing isn’t really interpretive at all, its just "information"!

Lots of boring facts, figures, dates, statistics - writing that really doesn't inspire or connect to the visitor in a meaningful way.

All too often we see interpretive writing that tries to answer questions that the visitor isn’t asking!

So what makes interpretation writing interpretive?

Good interpretive writing is planned and designed to be inspiring, engaging, exciting and memorable.

In general here are the main interpretive copy writing rules we go by:

Interpretive copy writing should be based on Tilden's interpretive principles.

That means the interpretive writing should provoke the reader’s attention, relate to the everyday lives of the reader, and reveal the main point of the text.

Interpretation copy writing should ensure message unity and address the whole.

Interpretive writing should always be written around a clearly defined interpretive theme and that theme should clearly support the sites main interpretive theme.

Interpretive copy writing should always be objective based and interpretive writing needs to accomplish the stated learning, behavioral, and emotional objectives.

Interpretive writing, especially for museum labels, outdoor panels, self-guiding booklets, and so on, should always be evaluated and pre-tested with the visitors to make sure that the audience understands the writing context, vocabulary, etc.

Never forget that interpretive writing is only good if the audience "gets the message"!

Interpretive Copy Writing and Interpretation Writing