PREPARING A FACT SHEET
What’s a Fact Sheet?
Fact sheets introduce an issue in a format useful to busy people.
Good fact sheets recognize that busy people (like legislators) need something short and punchy to grab their attention.
A good fact sheet says, “Read Me! I’m a painless way to get acquainted to an issue.”
Anything long and complicated may not simply be ignored; it can actually be counter-productive. Keep it short, accurate and interesting.
Fact sheets introduce an issue in a format useful to busy people.
Good fact sheets recognize that busy people (like legislators) need something short and punchy to grab their attention.
A good fact sheet says, “Read Me! I’m a painless way to get acquainted to an issue.”
Anything long and complicated may not simply be ignored; it can actually be counter-productive. Keep it short, accurate and interesting.
THE PURPOSE OF A FACT SHEET
It IDENTIFIES a Group with a Particular Issue
It PROVIDES Answers to Common Questions
It FOCUSES on Facts : Key Stats, Figures & Comparisons
It INFORMS, Persuades and Educates
It MAKES an Case for a Particular Course of Action
A GOOD FACT SHEET
Is only ONE or TWO pages long
DOESN'T use long sentences or wordy paragraphs
Is EASY to READ - Use sub-headings, bullet points and graphics
Include only the most COMPELLING, USEFUL, statistics
Is arranged based on its TARGET audience
Uses STORIES, EXAMPLES or other SIMPLE ways to express COMPLICATED messages
REFLECTS careful thought, using FACTS important to the target audience
Draws a CONCLUSION and CLEARLY states WHAT you want the reader to do
INCLUDES the name, address, telephone number, website and or e-mail of the organizing group
Is HONEST and FACTUAL, and DOES NOT EXAGGERATE
Oklahoma Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies
