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The Big Picture Read – Context, Audience, and Purpose (CAP)

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Transcript version (.pdf. 101 kb) Did I meet the reader's needs Infographic
  • Image of Dale Frank, a young lawyer asking for your feedback on her demand letter Dear General Counsel : The Big Picture Read
  • How do you review work for context, audience, and purpose?

    Here’s a chance to review a colleague’s demand letter that she wrote on behalf of a pro bono client.

    Then compare your feedback on whether the letter meets the reader’s needs with the feedback a senior lawyer prepared for your colleague.

Looking for other efficient ways to review your work? Try out one of our students’ favorite editing strategies.

  • Image of Chad, a lawyer who pretends to be the reader Reader Reaction
  • Imagine you are a client, lawyer, or judge reading the work for the first time.

  • Screen capture of the comic strip that appears on the Decision Time page Decision Time
  • If the reader can make a decision, you’ve done it right. Try out our Decision Time Template.

  • My Personal Checklist My Checklist
  • What questions will you add to your personal editing checklist to help you review for Context, Audience, and Purpose?

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Ellen B. Zweibel and Virginia McRae, Faculty of Law, University of Ottawa
Design and Development: University of Ottawa, TLSS, Centre for e-Learning
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