Post-Instructional Content Features for Comprehension, Applications, and Synthesis

In an anthology, these features come after the selected readings. In an original text, these appear at the end of the chapter.

• Formal conclusions or summaries

• Comprehension questions and exercises

• Discussion questions

• Reflection questions

• Critical thinking questions

• Case studies

• Scenarios

• Experiments

• Projects (short or long term)

• Field work assignments

Interactive Content Features

Interactive content features may appear at the beginning, end, or throughout a chapter, depending on the type of book you are developing. Different content features may be best suited for different parts of chapters (e.g., quizzes at the end of a chapter).

Some activities may appear embedded or in line with the ebook’s text, while others may appear in between sections or chapters in the Active Learning platform (separate from the ebook’s text). This may depend on whether the interactive content must tie to a gradebook versus self-check content. Check with your project editor for the specifics of content formats that will tie to a gradebook.

• Pop-ups with additional information

• Web links to further resources

• Audio recordings

• Videos

• Digital flashcards

• Quick check activities

• Skill-building exercises

• Individual self-check questions

• Interactive case studies

• Interactive scenarios

• Interactive lessons

• Quizzes

• Assignments

Visual Features

These may also be used to enhance chapter content at any point in a chapter, depending on the type of book you are creating. (There may be certain restrictions as to where these can be placed in an anthology.)

• Graphs

• Charts

• Photographs

• Line drawings

• Maps

• Timelines

• Tables

Wrapping Up Phase I:

At this point, you have completed the following tasks:

• You have clearly articulated your audience and purpose.

• You have looked at two or three competing texts to identify topics that should definitely be included in your ebook.

• You have developed on outline, used a graphic organizer, or taken basic notes on topics, so you have a clear idea of the general content and chapters of your ebook.

• You have selected the textual features that will be included in each chapter of your ebook.

• You have worked with your project editor to identify interactive features that will be included in your ebook.

• If you are developing an anthology, you have begun researching the readings you would like to include.

• If you are developing an anthology, you have begun documenting any reading selections in a Readings and Excerpts Log.

The pre-writing phase is finished. It’s time to begin writing your content.