Intro to Writing for Electronic Delivery JMC 239 Abilene Christian University JMC 239 Abilene Christian University

Terms to know  Computer mediated communication (CMC)  Internet and intranet  Blogs  Posts  Micro-blogs (Twitter)  Social media (Facebook, Myspace)  Consumer-generated video (YouTube)  Computer mediated communication (CMC)  Internet and intranet  Blogs  Posts  Micro-blogs (Twitter)  Social media (Facebook, Myspace)  Consumer-generated video (YouTube)

Terms to know  Flickr  Podcasts  RSS feeds, subscriptions and Aggregation  alerts  marketing  Hyperlinks  Navigation  Flickr  Podcasts  RSS feeds, subscriptions and Aggregation  alerts  marketing  Hyperlinks  Navigation

What’s different about writing for the Web? (It depends on how you think about it)

Web writing is like print … “…Although electronic writing requires that authors learn new technologies, incorporate new interactive techniques, and gain expertise in design-related issues of presentation, the conventions and traditions of print are still the touchstone.” “The Effects of Computers on Traditional Writing,” S.P. Ferris, The Journal of Electronic Publishing, retrieved: Sept. 16, 2002: “…Although electronic writing requires that authors learn new technologies, incorporate new interactive techniques, and gain expertise in design-related issues of presentation, the conventions and traditions of print are still the touchstone.” “The Effects of Computers on Traditional Writing,” S.P. Ferris, The Journal of Electronic Publishing, retrieved: Sept. 16, 2002:

… But it is also like oral communications “Perhaps scholars should base their views of electronic writing on an oral metaphor because the computer is an interpersonal medium. , mailing lists, discussion groups, and chat rooms use text, but they model themselves on conversation.” “The Effects of Computers on Traditional Writing,” S.P. Ferris, The Journal of Electronic Publishing, retrieved: Sept. 16, 2002: “Perhaps scholars should base their views of electronic writing on an oral metaphor because the computer is an interpersonal medium. , mailing lists, discussion groups, and chat rooms use text, but they model themselves on conversation.” “The Effects of Computers on Traditional Writing,” S.P. Ferris, The Journal of Electronic Publishing, retrieved: Sept. 16, 2002:

Oral communication characteristics  Immediacy  To convey emotion, rather than just information  Extra-textual content  Development of community  Non-linear  Abbreviations, incorrect grammar, shortened/fragmented sentences  Immediacy  To convey emotion, rather than just information  Extra-textual content  Development of community  Non-linear  Abbreviations, incorrect grammar, shortened/fragmented sentences

Why people read Web sites

Functions of computer- mediated communication (CMC)  Information  Entertainment  Transmission of Culture  Social Interaction* *this is a change from traditional media  Information  Entertainment  Transmission of Culture  Social Interaction* *this is a change from traditional media

Web writing and journalism (What they have in common)  Both use short, concise writing style; don’t waste words  Both favor action verbs and active voice; keep the text moving  Both use inverted pyramid style; make it scannable  Both require accuracy and cleanliness; typos and misspellings kill credibility  Both use short, concise writing style; don’t waste words  Both favor action verbs and active voice; keep the text moving  Both use inverted pyramid style; make it scannable  Both require accuracy and cleanliness; typos and misspellings kill credibility

How Web writing differs  Online readers are IMPATIENT; they read in a hurry.  Online readers read less  Screens are harder to read and create more eye strain  Web readers want specific information  Online readers are IMPATIENT; they read in a hurry.  Online readers read less  Screens are harder to read and create more eye strain  Web readers want specific information

A few quick tips  Keep copy scannable  Keep content short  Keep content segment Source: “TechnoFile: Writing Well on the Web,” Anne Stuart, Inc.com, February 2004,  Keep copy scannable  Keep content short  Keep content segment Source: “TechnoFile: Writing Well on the Web,” Anne Stuart, Inc.com, February 2004,

Let’s learn about the Internet and social media  Who is the founder and CEO of Twitter? What else can you tell me of interest about this person?  Two men founded Google. What are their names and what were they doing (what was their “occupation”) when they founded Google?  Who is the founder and CEO of Twitter? What else can you tell me of interest about this person?  Two men founded Google. What are their names and what were they doing (what was their “occupation”) when they founded Google?

Let’s learn about the Internet and social media  What does the term “blog” stand for?  What is an “URL”? What does this term stand for?  In what decade did research on the Internet begin and in what country?  What is Linkedin?  What does the term “blog” stand for?  What is an “URL”? What does this term stand for?  In what decade did research on the Internet begin and in what country?  What is Linkedin?

Let’s learn about the Internet and social media  On Facebook, you have “friends.” What do you have on Twitter? On Linkedin?  What is the maximum length of a message on Twitter?  What is a wiki? What is the best-known wiki?  On Facebook, you have “friends.” What do you have on Twitter? On Linkedin?  What is the maximum length of a message on Twitter?  What is a wiki? What is the best-known wiki?

Let’s learn about the Internet and social media  How is a blog different from a Web site?  Who founded Facebook? What else was he/she doing at the time?  How many members does Facebook have?  How is a blog different from a Web site?  Who founded Facebook? What else was he/she doing at the time?  How many members does Facebook have?

For next week  For 1/19/10: Read the blog post, “How Social Media Has Changed Us,” (1/14/10) and post a comment with your reaction to the article on the course blog. Please post your comment no later than an hour prior to class time next Tuesday.  For 1/21/10: Twitter  For 1/19/10: Read the blog post, “How Social Media Has Changed Us,” (1/14/10) and post a comment with your reaction to the article on the course blog. Please post your comment no later than an hour prior to class time next Tuesday.  For 1/21/10: Twitter