Great example of narrative writing

This Oct. 31 New York Times article by C. J. Chivers provides a great example of the power -- and craft -- of narrative writing.

The story is about a mortar attack on an isolated American base in Afghanistan and the frantic efforts to save an Afghan cook seriously wounded in the attack. Note the mix of dramatic versus summary narrative, as well as the excellent use of description to show rather than tell the story.

Noticed any other good examples in print, online, or video recently?

A favorite of mine from back in July, by Lane DeGregory of the St. Petersburg Times, was called "The Girl in the Window," and came with a multimedia package. And couple months before that, the Cleveland Plain Dealer published a package called, "Beyond Rape: A Survivors Journey," by Joanna Connors, a first-person account of coming forward 20 years after being raped.

Deconstructing how such stories are told can make a very good training exercise.

Template for needs assessment

Don Clark is a veteran training developer who has a wonderful web site full of information, models, and templates devote to training and performance improvement. Here is just one example, a template on how to conduct a needs assessment that lays a good foundation for effective training.

Mel Silberman & active training

The single best book for anyone doing adult training, in my view, is Mel Silberman's Active Training. He follows the entire process from needs assessment, learning objectives, curriculum design, on to presentation and transfer of learning. The book mixes clear theory with specific tips, like room arrangements or speaking styles. Other books may go deeper into specific topics, but this one gives any trainer an excellent starting point. Silberman has several other books (101 Ways to Make Training Active; The Consultant's Toolkit; The Consultant's Big Book of Reproducible Surveys and Questionnaires), training modules, and a web site.

What books related to training, digital media, people or other topics would you recommend?

Get those creative juices flowing

Planning a session on creativity? Here's a very funny short video from England you might like to use on "creative juices."