Writing for scanners
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The document discusses how to write effectively for online readers. It notes that online readers scan pages rather than read linearly. It recommends using highlighted keywords, meaningful subheadings, bulleted lists, one idea per paragraph, and keeping word counts low. The document also discusses an "F-shaped" reading pattern online and techniques like chunking content into short, scannable pieces to improve readability and engagement for online users.
Writing for scanners
- 1. 1 COMA 360 - DMH WRITING FOR SCANNERS
- 2. 2 COMA 360 - DMH QUALITIES OF WEB BASED COMMUNICATION Non-linear approach Interactivity Multi-media Personalized Visual design centered Others?
- 3. 3 COMA 360 - DMH WHY SCANNERS NOT READERS? Reading from computer screens is tiring The Web is a user-driven medium Each page has to compete with hundreds of millions of other pages Modern life is hectic
- 4. 4 COMA 360 - DMH HOW USERS READ ON THE WEB Highlighted keywords Meaningful sub-headings Bulleted lists One idea per paragraph The inverted pyramid style The chunking text style Half the word count of conventional writing
- 5. 5 COMA 360 - DMH F-SHAPED PATTERN FOR READING WEB CONTENT
- 6. 6 COMA 360 - DMH WRITING STYLES IMPROVING USABILITY
- 7. 7 COMA 360 - DMH PROMOTIONAL WRITING Nebraska is filled with internationally recognized attractions that draw large crowds of people every year, without fail. In 1996, some of the most popular places were Fort Robinson State Park (355,000 visitors), Scotts Bluff National Monument (132,166), Arbor Lodge State Historical Park & Museum (100,000), Carhenge (86,598), Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer (60,002), and Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park (28,446). Dense writing trying to do too much
- 8. 8 COMA 360 - DMH CONCISE TEXT In 1996, six of the best-attended attractions in Nebraska were Fort Robinson State Park, Scotts Bluff National Monument, Arbor Lodge State Historical Park & Museum, Carhenge, Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer, and Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park. Edited version appropriate for brochure or fact sheet
- 9. 9 COMA 360 - DMH SCANNABLE LAYOUT Nebraska is filled with internationally recognized attractions that draw large crowds of people every year, without fail. In 1996, some of the most popular places were: • Fort Robinson State Park (355,000 visitors) • Scotts Bluff National Monument (132,166) • Arbor Lodge State Historical Park & Museum (100,000) • Carhenge (86,598) • Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer (60,002) • Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park (28,446) Lots of content, but easy to read with links to more content
- 10. 10 COMA 360 - DMH OBJECTIVE LANGUAGE Nebraska has several attractions. In 1996, some of the most-visited places were Fort Robinson State Park (355,000 visitors), Scotts Bluff National Monument (132,166), Arbor Lodge State Historical Park & Museum (100,000), Carhenge (86,598), Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer (60,002), and Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park (28,446). Eliminates promotional language
- 11. 11 COMA 360 - DMH COMBINED VERSION In 1996, six of the most-visited places in Nebraska were: • Fort Robinson State Park • Scotts Bluff National Monument • Arbor Lodge State Historical Park & Museum • Carhenge • Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer • Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park Eliminates fluff – with easy to follow links
- 12. 12 COMA 360 - DMH CHUNKING a method of presenting information splits concepts into small pieces or "chunks" of information to makes reading and understanding faster and easier.
- 13. 13 COMA 360 - DMH CHUNKED CONTENT CONTAINS bulleted lists short subheadings short sentences short paragraphs easily scannable text inline graphics
- 14. 14 COMA 360 - DMH WRITING CLEARLY Put the main message first Cut out words Keep paragraphs short Keep sentences short Use fragments Use the users' words Give examples