Competency
description:
Requires
the interpreter to be able to convey resource meanings
effectively through the use of interpretive techniques
and organizational structure applied to written products.
Effective written interpretive products will facilitate
opportunities for the audience to make their own intellectual
and emotional connections to the meanings/significance
of the resource through the cohesive development of
a relevant idea or ideas, rather than relying primarily
on chronological narrative or a series of related facts.
What
you will submit: You will submit an original interpretive
writing sample for a specific written medium (see below),
including a statement of intended audience/venue.
Before
preparing your submission, it is to your advantage to
review the Module 230 curriculum and certification standard.
Key
submission points:
The
writing product you submit should have a primarily
interpretive purpose and objectives. The interpretive
elements and interpretive writing methods/techniques
of the product are the focus of this assessment.
A
product that is primarily informational, no matter
how well written, and though its subject may be
important to park operations, will not meet this
certification standard.
Creative
writing is not necessarily interpretive writing.
Although interpretive writing should incorporate
creative elements, its purpose is unique (connecting
the interests of the readers to the meanings of
the resources). The use of creative elements and
literary techniques should contribute to the interpretive
objectives.
The
product must be your original work, and developed
for a written medium, and not intended to serve another
format, such as a narrative script or program that
would be spoken. The text should be of the length
appropriate for the medium selected.
The
text should be one article, section, or portion of
text that is cohesive and stands alone. See suggested
mediums below.
If
possible, submit a text-only version of your product.
If the product includes illustrations, photos, or
other graphic elements, only the text of the product
will be assessed.
Written
products that rely heavily on illustrations or graphic
design in order to be interpretive are not recommended
as submissions for Module 230; however, they may be
appropriate as submissions for Module 311. Contact
the Training Manager if you are unsure.
The
obligation for accuracy, topic choice and appropriateness,
writing mechanics, etc., remain the responsibility
of you and your supervisor, and are not measured in
this review.
Basic
writing mechanics are assumed, and, as with basic
delivery mechanics in the interpretive talk certification,
are NOT being measured in the certification review.
However, if you do not possess basic technical writing
skills, you are urged to find developmental opportunities
that provide those skills before beginning preparation
for this certification.
Two
anchor examples and a developmental
worksheet are also available
for this module.
1)
For this certification, submit one original interpretive
writing product for any of the media listed below.
2)
Include a statement describing the intended
audience and venue. This only needs to be
a sentence or two identifying your target audience
(i.e. general park visitors, children, teachers, school
groups, park neighbors, special interest group, etc),
and the venue for the piece (park newspaper, site
bulletin, exhibit text, etc).
3) Complete and include the
"Product Submission Registration Form"
for each certification you attempt. (Download in a
Word format (43KB)
or a PDF format (36KB).
When reviewing your submission,
certifiers will assume good faith effort, and that
accuracy and authenticity of the writing have been
verified at the park level.
Examples
of writing products:
Interpretive brochure or site bulletin
Interpretive wayside (more challenging format)
Park newspaper interpretive article (not an information
article)
Interpretive article for staff paper
Interpretive article for a local publication (not
an information article)
Or a portion of:
Indoor interpretive exhibit text
Interpretive trail guide
Interpretive guidebook
Web site (stand-alone interpretive section of text,
more challenging format)
Tip: Experience has shown that short
labels such as for exhibit objects, paintings, or other
brief narratives are much more challenging formats and
might be avoided for the purposes of this certification
review.
Where
to submit:
Once you have reviewed the writing submission
with your supervisor, you have two choices to submit
your materials:
1) Electronic mail via Lotus Notes (preferred) to
the office of the Certification
Program Manager, Interpretation, Mather Training
Center. Please include your "Product Submission
Registration Form" separately in the electronic
submission. (In Lotus Notes, select "Return Receipt"
under Delivery Options, and you will get an automatic
delivery confirmation by return e-mail when your message
is received by the Program Manager.)
--or--
2) If e-mail is unavailable, send a diskette or three
hard copies (double-sided), along with one copy of
the registration form, to: Certification Program Manager,
Interpretation, P.O. Box 77, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425.
Attn: Product submission. (You can request a "delivery
confirmation" from the post office.)
*
Certification in this competency serves the overall
development of employees in Ranger Careers positions,
and meets the NPS national standard for interpretive
writing. Certification in this competency is a point-in-time
assessment only. Long-term performance is measured
at the park level. Eligibility for promotion is determined
by the supervisor and park. Learn more about the peer
review process.
