Topic 10 Effective Online (Web) Media Writing

Topic Overview

  • Digitization

    • Focus on effective online (web) media writing skills.

    • Aim: Display practical skills in writing news leads and stories for print, broadcast, and online media within deadlines.

Differences in Writing for the Web

  • Writing style and elements for web sites differ from print or broadcast.

  • Content on online news sites often mirrors print or broadcast copy despite its unique format.

Citizen Journalism

  • Concept of involving readers in news reporting termed as citizen journalism, participatory journalism, or user-generated content.

  • Movement increases interaction between media organizations and audiences.

  • Contributors, called citizen journalists, may regularly write blogs for media websites but are not staff members.

Transparency in Journalism

  • Pioneering site: OhmyNews, a South Korean website established in 2000, features 727 citizen reporters.

    • Motto: "Every citizen is a reporter."

  • The Spokesman Review facilitates conversations about news through its blog "News is a Conversation".

Media Transparency Practices

  • Transparency is not limited to print but also includes television news, e.g., CBS News’s Public Eye which explains editorial decisions and fosters viewer engagement.

Interactivity in Online Writing

  • The web’s interactivity sets it apart from other media forms.

    • Readers are engaged in searching, chatting, reading, and clicking links.

  • Interactivity can be simple (discussion questions) or complex (searchable databases for statistics).

Linear vs Nonlinear Content

  • Web content is nonlinear, allowing users to access information in any order.

  • Contrast with print and broadcast, which offer a linear experience, requiring readers to follow the story from beginning to end.

Nonlinear Navigation

  • Web stories may offer linked content and resources, allowing users nonlinear access to related information.

  • Well-structured web packages can contain elements like timelines, related stories, and interactive features.

Immediacy of Online Content

  • Web users demand current content; news must be quickly updated.

  • Online platforms frequently post breaking news and updates.

Reading Behavior of Online Users

  • Studies show that online readers tend to scan text rather than read thoroughly, impacting content presentation.

  • Online readers focus on text while print readers prioritize visuals or headlines.

Story Planning for the Web

  • Writing for the web involves envisioning stories in layers.

  • Use of storyboards to plan organization in web writing.

Elements of Web Storytelling

  • Key elements to enhance web stories:

    1. Timelines

    2. Frequently asked questions

    3. Interactivity

    4. Lists or data

    5. Mini-profiles

    6. Multimedia

    7. Related links

    8. Reporter contacts

Reporting for the Web

  • Essential tools: digital recorder and pen drive.

  • Gather pertinent information and update stories.

  • Utilize the Internet for research and background checks to enhance interviews.

Writing Effective Headlines and Structure

  • Microcontent:

    • Headlines, summaries, and briefs should clearly convey the story's essence.

  • Avoid misleading headlines; clarity in blurbs and briefs is crucial.

  • Headlines summarize the story effectively to meet reader expectations.

Story Structures in Web Writing

  • Get to the point quickly, ideally within the first 25 words.

  • Techniques:

    • Inverted Pyramid: Places main idea at the beginning.

    • List Format: Breaks up text, aiding reader scanning.

    • Question/Answer Format: Engages readers while maintaining structured storytelling.

Personal Storytelling Online

  • Personal storytelling remains a significant aspect of web content.

  • The web allows unique methods of storytelling, including multimedia features and photo essays.