The Role of Interest in Environmental Information

A New Agenda

Abstract

The majority of environmental information is presented in factual, expository text format. Although this form of text may be sufficient when learner interest is already high or when incentives are strong, environmental communicators cannot always rely on traditional text to provide citizens or students with environmental information that is comprehensible and motivating. The literature suggests that the qualities of written material that make it more interesting, particularly those qualities found in stories, could make text more meaningful and memorable to readers. This twist on written material could open significant opportunities for research and new presentation techniques for written text.