Good interpretive panels are POETRY:
Personal ~ Visitors relate to the place when interpretive panels relate to them. We use personalizing words like 'you' and ask questions of the individual.
Organized ~ Text and images have to flow naturally, or the visitor will quickly lose interest and walk away.
Entertaining ~ Visitors are here for fun! Education is important, but people are not here for a lesson.
Thematic ~ A theme is a story. The topic may be native people, but tell the story about people harvesting acorns from an old oak tree nearby and the past comes alive.
Relevant ~ Every word on a panel must actively serve the theme, which must directly relate to the place.
You ~ is each person who sees the interpretive panel. A visitor who is engaged is enriched.