BROCHURE: CHARACTERISTICS, WHAT IT IS FOR, TYPES, HOW TO DO IT - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

A brochure is a document printed on paper that is intended to disclose or publicize certain information. In other words, brochures are tools that allow teaching and transmitting specific data.

They differ from books for several reasons: First, brochures are short in length, so they can only reach a maximum of 24 sheets. Likewise, the brochures present the information in a summarized and easy-to-understand way for the majority of the public.

Example of a brochure on pollution. Source: YouTube channel El Tío Tech

These documents are widely used in marketing (that is, in advertising and sales), since companies and companies use it to publicize the benefits of a certain service or product.

However, the pamphlet should not be confused with the pamphlet, because the pamphlet is a mildly aggressive document used to spread political propaganda.

Brochures are often very eye-catching as they use very attractive titles and images or photographs. Also, they are not only used to advertise a product; They are also used in schools, universities and other institutions in order to instruct a specific group of people.

Although brochures are characterized by being printed works, today it is also possible to find them in digital formats.

What is a brochure for?

Brochures are eye-catching and colorful printed documents that are intended to inform and instruct. Via wikimedia commons.

Brochures are very useful tools to convey information on any topic. For this reason, they can be used both for teaching in schools and universities and for instructing at conferences and exhibitions; brochures can even be used to guide travelers, as they are also used for tourist purposes.

In short, brochures are means of communication that transmit data of all kinds; They can contain information about a product, a tourist attraction or a restaurant.

They are also used to express academic or scientific elements, such as a brochure that indicates how to prevent the spread of certain diseases.

characteristics

Sports week brochure. Source: YouTube channel El Tío Tech

- Directed to a specific audience

The treatment of the information will strongly depend on the public to which the brochure is directed. A brochure intended for students, academic audiences, clients or employees of a company is not the same.

The particularities of the recipients will determine the type of brochure to use, the amount of information, the characteristics of the design, even the way to get the brochure into the hands of the ideal readers.

- Relevant information

The brochure has the characteristic of being useful to your audience. The information provided should be highly relevant to the reader.

It should be sought that the brochure is not a disposable resource, but that the reader feels the desire to save it and have it as a reference material.

If it is a brochure intended to sell a product or service, the information should mention the benefits and usefulness of these products and services for the reading public.

These benefits should be highlighted throughout the brochure, as it is the most important information for readers.

- Clarity in content

The brochures must be very clear when presenting the information. The central theme that you want to spread must be clearly exposed.

It is possible, even beneficial, to add additional information, context data, or also testimonials from some people related to the matter being discussed. But the central theme must be well defined throughout the brochure.

- Understandable text

The text of a brochure is characterized by being simplified and easy to understand. In general, brochures offer limited space; for this reason, they are characterized by synthesizing information through the use of direct language.

This language must be adapted to the recipient audience; For example, text directed at a child has very different characteristics from that directed at an adult.

In each case, the peculiarities of the audience must be clear and, based on this, use the most convenient language. Whatever language is chosen, it must facilitate the correct interpretation of the text. A convoluted or highly technical language will be an obstacle to reading.

On the other hand, the text must be written correctly, without spelling mistakes and with adequate grammatical structure. If not, the reader will be scattered and may discard the brochure.

- Suitable font

Among the main characteristics of a brochure, what is related to the font to be used stands out. The letter must be legible, attractive and adapted to the information that is offered.

Of the three typeface characteristics listed above, the most important is readability. There are cases where the bombastic design of a typeface can be eye-catching, but makes it difficult to read.

In these cases, the possibility that a typography offers to read the text in a fluid and correct way should always be more relevant.

- Striking design

The main function of a brochure is to convey information, and for this information to be able to reach the public effectively, it is necessary that the brochure be attractive, have a dynamic and harmonious design, adapted to the target to which it is directed.

Importantly, the layout should make the brochure easy to read, and not be an obstacle. An eye-catching design can and should emphasize complete understanding of the information.

- As little text as possible

It is important to avoid excess text. Although the design is attractive, too much text can be overwhelming and can make it difficult to read.

A brochure is characterized by offering simplified information. In some cases, the topics to be discussed can be quite broad or dense, and the idea is that it can be transmitted in the most direct and simple way possible, because the brochure is designed to be quick to read.

- Table of Contents

If it is a diptych or triptych, it is recommended to add a table of contents. Thus the reader can have quick access to the information that is of interest to him.

- Tables and graphs

The brochure is a tool designed so that the reader can quickly have complete information on a topic, a product or a service.

There are resources that can help information to be disclosed more efficiently; In the brochures, explanatory tables, infographics or graphics can be used to facilitate understanding of the subject matter.

Types of brochures

Brochures can be classified according to two main aspects: according to the way in which they distribute the information and according to the type of information they convey.

- According to the way in which they distribute the information

Flyers

This type of brochure is also known as a flyer; it is so called because it consists of a single sheet without folds. Its shape can be square or rectangular and is one of the most used in the world of marketing, since it is the most economical format.

Diptychs

These brochures have two folds and are usually delivered in open places. They are also posted on store counters or mailed.

They are divided into three parts: the cover (where the name is specified and an image is usually placed), the content (where the information is placed) and the back cover (it is the last page and usually carries a summary of the content or the contact numbers).

Triptychs

Triptychs are similar to diptychs, but have more space. They are widely used in the advertising media, although they can also be found in schools and universities, as they allow a greater amount of information to be posted. Like diptychs, triptychs have a cover, content and back cover.

- According to the type of information

Educational brochures

These brochures are intended to educate a specific audience. Therefore, they seek to guide people through a simple and well-structured language that facilitates the easy understanding of the information to be transmitted.

School brochures

These brochures circulate in schools and are developed to teach and entertain students. They can address any topic, as long as the information is instructive (that is, conducive to learning), recreational, and didactic.

Health brochures

These brochures are very important because they help inform people about the diseases and outbreaks that are occurring today.

In general, in the first part they guide people on how the disease works (symptoms and causes are specified), then they explain how to prevent or avoid contagion.

The brochures serve to educate or guide the reader on a specific topic. Source: pixabay.com

How to make a brochure?

Below are a series of steps to develop a project:

1. Establish the purpose of the brochure

To produce a brochure, you first need to determine the topic (that is, the topic) you want to address. Likewise, the type of audience to which the brochure will be directed must also be clear; All these factors allow for a more appropriate approach when developing the content.

2. Conduct a thorough research on the content of the brochure

Before crafting the brochure, you need to do some research on the content that will be placed in the document.

For example, if you want to talk about animals, you need to find out about the different types of animals, their classification, their diet, among other information. This information can be acquired in books, internet, videos or documentaries.

3. Choose an attractive title and the most important data of the content

After doing your research, choose a compelling title for the brochure. In addition, a summary of the information that was consulted must be prepared; This summary will be placed clearly and precisely in the brochure.

Likewise, during this process, the images or photographs that will accompany the content must be chosen. These should be eye-catching and appeal to the emotion of the person reading the brochure.

4. Prepare the brochure in an orderly and easy to understand manner

Although brochures were previously made by hand, today it is preferable to design them on the computer, since it is easier. Today there are many platforms that offer templates for making eye-catching, easy-to-understand brochures.

The brochure needs to follow a proper order; In other words, the images, titles and content must be distributed in a harmonious and simple way. In this way, it is ensured that readers understand the information displayed.

Brochure themes

The brochures can contain any type of information. Here are some ideas or themes:

- How to recycle at school.

- Advantages of brushing your teeth.

- Habits of birds.

- Vertebrate animals.

- How to act in the event of an earthquake.

- Prevention of diseases during the winter.

- Biography of an important historical person (For example: Napoleón Bonaparte, Simón Bolívar, Isaac Newton, among others).

References

1. Burger, J. (2003) Efficacy of a brochure versus a classroom lesson. Retrieved on February 17, 2020 from Wiley Online Library.
2. Copeland, I. (1997) Special educational needs in the primary school brochure. Retrieved on February 17, 2020 from Taylor & Francis.
3. Howson, J. (1995) The school brochure. Retrieved on February 17, 2020 from journals.sagepub.cm
4. SA (2014) How to make a brochure for primary school. Retrieved on February 17, 2020 from Parents at school: Padresenlaescuela.com
5. SA (2019) How to make brochures on Microsoft Word. Retrieved on February 17, 2020 from Wikihow: wikihow.com