Information, Education and Communication: Pamphlet


Pamphlet:

A pamphlet has 8 to 80 pages paper-bound. It is also called a brochure or booklet.

Single sheet with one, two or more folds are often spoken of as pamphlets. They are folders or leaflets. An Unfolded sheet is a leaflet, flier or handbill.

The three classes of pamphlets are:

  1. Agitation aims to persuade the reader.
  2. Promotions aims to build support for the organization.
  3. Education aims to teach something.


Advantages:

  1. Can reach a large section of literate people simultaneously.
  2. Can be preserved and used for reference purposes.
  3. Comparatively cheap.
  4. Accurate information and minute details can be given.
  5. Can be made easy as well as enjoyable to read.
  6. Can be used to maintain or increase the tempo of work.
  7. Can be used to continue contacts.
  8. Can promote literacy.


Limitations:

  1. It is of little use in areas of low literacy. But there is the possibility of diffusion from literate to the Illiterates.
  2. Cannot be used in exclusion of other methods.
  3. Will loss its significance if not carefully prepared and used.
    Suggestions for writing skillfully and for the effective use of the printing process apply here.
    Some suggestions especially pertinent to the preparation of pamphlets and folders follow:
    1. Make an attractive cover, which is meaningful and easy to understand.
    2. Do not crowd the available space. Use more space or less copy.
    3. Use two colors where possible. It will cost a little more because the pages have to be run through the press the second time, but It will increase the number of readers.
    4. Write interesting copy. The six unwritten laws for writing the copy are:
      1. Never publish anything that might be controversial.
      2. Never call attention to negative developments. Be positive Smile.
      3. Never risk offending any one.
      4. Avoid specific and unqualified statements on major questions. The qualified general statement is always safe, though meaningless.
      5. Shun simple, popular language. Be professional.
      6. Never let a touch of humor brighten the text. It is undignified.
    5. Make a dummy or layout to exact size on exact size sheets.
    6. Dont write too much. Be brief. Be concise. The pamphlet is not a book.
    7. Write your copy to fit the pamphlet length you think you should use. Fit the copy to a suitable space not the space to carelessly written copy.
    8. Use suitable type.
      1. Use an appropriate size.
      2. Look at the available type faces and piet out the one that will look best. Use two compatible type faces if you want. They provide good contrast. Three or more different faces are usually undesirable.
      3. Use few caps. They are hard to read.
      4. Use italics rather than bold face for emphasis, in most cases. They blend better with most copy.
      5. Use leading between the lines. Two point leading is probably sufficient. It will make the copy much more easy to read.
      6. See that the type used in headings is compatible with the type in the body of the pamphlet.
      7. Make captions under photographs one size smaller type than the body of the text.
    9. Make captions brief and clear.
    10. Reproduce photographs and pictures in large enough size to be attractive. Cut or crop the Picture and show the important part in larger size rather than trying to show the whole picture.
    11. Have a provocative title.
    12. Avoid putting the first line of a paragraph or a sub heading at the bottom of a page.
    13. Stagger sub-heads on facing pages instead of putting them opposite each other.
    14. Read your final proof carefully.
    15. Use statics sparingly.
    16. Estimate costs in advance. Plan to fit your copy to even pages. Saddle wire stitching is least expensive In a pamphlet. Have enough copies printed or hold type until you are sure of how may you want. Get prices on different quantities Additional copies are not very expensive once the presses are Running.
    17. After all, the most helpful thing you can do in getting out good pamphlets is to make a collection of The best pamphlets you can find and use the best of their ideas, along with your own.