(3 page excerpts from National Association for Interpretation "Interpretive Guide Training Workshop"

[First page excerpt]
12 -- National Association for Interpretation 

WHAT IT ALL BOILS DOWN TO 
Drawing - Left to right; top to bottom:

First circle has drawing oa three frogs exhibiting excitement. Title is 'Audience'.

Line from circle 1 to second circle.

Second circle has drawing of a tropical village scene with palm tree in forefront, 
straw-thatched huts, and volcano in background. Title is 'Resource'.

Line from second to third circle.

Third circle show a frog wearing a namebadge with 'GUIDE', standing upright.
He is looking over a long list with a pencil in hand/foot. Title is 'Objectives".

Line from third circle back to first circle.

In center of the diamond created by the interconnecting lines and circles,
is the head of a frog with one finger pointing outward. Above frog is the caption, 'Interpretive Opportunity'.


[Second page excerpt]
Interpretive Guide Training Workshop -- 37

INTERPRETATION IS THEMATIC.
Every interpretive presentation should communicate a theme. The theme
is the primary message you want to get across.

A theme is different than a topic. A topic can be considered a broad,
general category such as:

--  whales
--  wildlife habitats
--  historic houses

A theme narrows the focus of a topic and answers the question, "so what?"
about the general topic. Themes are usually stated as complete sentences.

--  Different whales use different methods to eat.
--  We can help keep wildlife habitats healthy.
--  Architecture styles influence lifestyles.

By stating your theme, you know where
you're headed with your program, so the
theme acts like a road map for you to 
plan the visitor's journey through your
presentation. When you've reached your
destination (the end of the presentation),
your visitor should be able to tell you
where you ended up (your theme) and
how you got there (a few bits of support-
ing information).

(Photo: frog standing upright with hand in the air, finger pointing upward. He
wears a namebadge with 'GUIDE'. Thought bubble above frog's head says,
"Now I get it!".


[3rd page excerpt]
Interpretive Guide Training Workshop -- 41

COMBINING TWO APPROACHES TO PRESENTATION PLANNING
Theme: Bald Eagles, the symbol of America and freedom, are back after a
flirtation with extinction.

Subthemes:
1. Bald eagles are specially adapted for survival.
2. Their specialized diet created a problem that almost led to extinction.
3. Action by government agencies and individuals made the difference for
the survival of the species.

Drawing: Title - BALD EAGLES.
Drawing is of a flight of six stairs with a caption for each step on the upper and lower side.
The upper side of the steps are labeled Intangibles; the lower side are labeled Tangibles. 

Starting from bottom step on the upper side: Memory/Awe, Home/Survival, Recycling, 
Death, Protection, Recovery/Freedom.
From bottom step to top on the lower side: Fishing Bird, Great Nest, Eats Carrion, 
DDT/Pesticides, Thin eggs/Dead babies, 5000 pairs.

Superimposed over the staircase are three overlapping circles that are numbered. 
Circle 1 encompasses the first 2 steps, circle 2 -- the next 2 steps (steps 3 and 4), and 
circle 3 covers the last 2 steps at the top.