Interpretive Theme Writer's Field Guide: How to Write a Strong Theme from Big Idea to Presentation - Paperback

by Jon Kohl (Author)

The interpretive theme is the most important sentence an interpreter inks on paper. Despite its centrality to thematic interpretation, no single work has dedicated itself entirely to the art and craft of strong theme writing until now. The Interpretive Theme Writer's Field Guide builds on Sam Ham's 30-year thematic interpretation research legacy. While leaving theory to his books, this pocket companion offers writers strong theme examples, worksheets, exercises, inspirational quotes, and technique highlights. With contributions from Sam Ham, Ted Cable, Shelton Johnson, and Clark Hancock, this Field Guide is useful at the desk, in the exhibit hall, or on the trail. It recognizes that teams, even communities, create heritage themes, and introduces the Interpretive Framework methodology to facilitate community-based theme writing.

Author Biography

Jon Kohl has published over 255 academic, professional, and popular articles, including a sci-fi romance novella, a book on holistic planning (with Steve McCool), a textbook on heritage interpretation in Spanish (with Marisol Mayorga), and this Field Guide. NAI has published some 40 of these works. Jon also works as an interpretive writer, translator, planner, blogger, and trainer with the PUP Global Heritage Consortium, a global non-profit he founded and directs to promote a holistic focus to natural and cultural heritage management. He earned a Master s in Environmental Management from Yale University School of the Environment and a Bachelor s in Ecology and Political Science from Dartmouth College. He served as an environmental educator and interpreter in the Peace Corps in Costa Rica, where he now lives with his family.