Is the material colorful and eye-catching?

As a general impression, is the material attractive and well-illustrated? Photos and illustrations should show simple, familiar images that represent Hispanic audiences in a factual manner and reflect Hispanic context. Stereotypes should be avoided and themes of family, family values and family responsibility should be stressed when appropriate. Adult rather than childlike or cartoon images should be used. Overly explicit visuals may be particularly offensive to a Hispanic audience. Sensitive topics should be addressed directly, but tastefully. For example, a subtle, but accurate, illustration of a woman's breasts for an explanation of a breast self-examination may be more acceptable than a frontal photo of a woman's breasts.

Unsatisfactory materials are often uninteresting or dull. Photos and illustrations do not represent a Hispanic audience or are overly graphic and shocking or unappealing. Avoid themes that conflict with values of a Hispanic audience. For example, a photo or illustration of people playing tennis could be culturally inappropriate because tennis is not a sport typically played by a particular Hispanic group. Depending on the particular audience, baseball or soccer may be more appropriate.

Also be sure to include appropriate language if words appear in photos or illustrations. For example: If a birthday cake or a person in a T-shirt is shown, consider whether it also would be appropriate to have the lettering in Spanish.


Are illustrations and graphics relevant to the text?

Illustrations should contribute to the material by improving understanding, as well as conveying, clarifying, or reinforcing information. Each visual should illustrate and relate directly to one message. That relationship should be made explicit. In most cases, every illustration should have a caption.

Unsatisfactory graphics usually are those just put there for "decoration," are of possible low quality, and do not fit the culture of the target audience.






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