What is a Star Point?

A. Summary:

When collaborating with others, clear and concise communication is important. A Star Point is a formatted communication (using 3 sections: Summary, Key Points, and Details) on a specific subject. The purpose of using the same structured format in every Star Point is to enable the reader to quickly find the information, and the level of information, they need. The Star Point format is not limited to any particular application or web site, but refers only to the special format of the message. Users of the Star Academy are invited to email replies to Star Points.

B. Key Points:

· Star Point is a specific format

· Star Points enhance communication by using the same formatting in each Star Point

· Star Points are composed of three sections: Summary, Key Points, and Details

· There will be redundancy because the Summary, Key Points, and Details should describe the same information, each for a different level of understanding

· Users may email replies to Star Points requesting clarification or adding information

· Link to What is the Star Academy?

· Link to What is the General Star Point Format?

· For corrections, updates or clarifications on this Star Point, please email ewallace@afsc.org

C. Details:

A Star Point is a formatted communication on a specific subject. When grouped together, Star Points will explain a broader topic. By seeing the same format in every Star Point, a reader will quickly be able to find the level of information they are seeking. Star Points are one major part of the Star Academy.

Star Points can be on any topic: technical, procedural, administrative, political, etc. Star Points can contain links to other Star Points, to formatted documents, or to short videos; or they can include pictures or screen shots.

There are three sections in a Star Point:

A. Summary
B. Key Points
C. Details

The Summary is one to five sentences (usually between 60 - 90 words) that describe what the Star Point is all about. The sentences in the Summary should be an overview of the Details, so that if someone is returning to a Star Point they've already read, they will know immediately if this Star Point will give them the information they need.

The Key Points section is a bulleted list of 3 - 9 points that outline the topic: as if the major points were presented on a slide. It can also include links to other Star Points, web sites or other reference material. It will be redundant to the Summary but is a bulleted list rather than sentences.

The Details portion will generally be 2 or 3 screens of text, which may include “Print Screens” or other supportive graphics. It should contain the same information as the Summary and Key Points, but in a more expanded form. Generally, the Details section is written first, and then the most important items are restated in the Key Points and Summary.

Links to Star Points can be used on any site in the Star Café. But a Star Point is a format, not only found in the Star Academy. A Star Point may also be used in Email, distribution list postings, discussion boards, Word documents, etc.

Users are invited to email replies to Star Points if the information in the Star Point is not clear or needs to be changed or added to. Star Points are part of the ongoing collaboration in the Star Cafe and they will evolve and become more useful with readers' input.