Online Writing

What is online writing?

Online/digital writing refers to that text which is created with help of gadgets for example;

smartphone, a computer, or any related digital device. Formats for Online writing include instant

messaging, posting comments, texting, tweeting, emailing, and blogging on social media

platforms for example Facebook.

Observations and Examples

"The big difference between online and offline writing styles is that whereas newspapers and

magazines are being bought by people for reading, those on internet generally browse. This

requires one to hold and be more attentive if they intend to continue reading on. This implies

that, in general, online writing tends to be more pithy and concise thereby providing greater

interactivity to the reader."

"Online writing does not only cover integration of or learning about new digital techniques into

untransformed repertoire of practices, writing processes habits and skills of mind. Online writing

usually covers dramatic transformations in the writing ecology and communication, that is to

say, the meaning of writing, creating, composing, and sharing."

(National Writing Project, Because Digital Writing Matters: Improving Student Writing in

Online and Multimedia Environments. Jossey-Bass, 2010)

Structure of Online Writing

“Since online readers have the tendency of scanning, e-mail message or Web page should be

structured visibly; it should be with a scannable layout as emphasized by Nielsen Jakob. He

further states that the continuous use of bullets and headings increases readability by about 47%.

In relation to Nielsen’s study, 10% of readers online tend to scroll the text below that is initially

seen on screen, digital writing has to be 'introduced' by the most crucial information put at the

fore front.

Maybe if there is a better reason otherwise, as in a message that carries bad news, for example, e-

mail messages and Web pages should be structured like articles in newspaper highlighting the

most crucial information within the headline and also in the very first paragraph.

(Kenneth W. Davis, The McGraw-Hill 36-Hour Course in Business Writing and Communication,

2nd ed. McGraw-Hill, 2010)

Blogging

“Blogs are mostly Witten by an individual in his or her own language. Therefore, this provides

one with a greater opportunity to expose the personality and human face of his or her business."

One can either be: enthusiastic, conversational, informal, engaging or intimate.

This as whole can be achieved by operating within the acceptable limits of the company's voice.

However, other techniques may be necessary in arrears to the kind of one’s readership or

business.

“Lastly, with other types of digital writing, it's of greater importance to have knowledge about
the readers as well as their expectations when considering starting a blog."

(David Mill, Content Is King: Writing and Editing Online. Butterworth-Heinemann, 2005)

Single Sourcing

“Single sourcing defines the collection of skills that are similar to the process of updating, reuse,

conversion, and remediating of content through media, multiple platforms, and products. The

creation of reusable content tends to an outstanding technique as far as internet writing is

concerned for a number of reasons. This usually saves the effort, resources and time for the team

by writing a content that can be used multiple times. This further creates a more flexible subject

that is in a position to be published and adapted in several formats and not forgetting media for

example, videos, web pages, printed literature, podcast, and advertisements."

(Craig Baehr and Bob Schaller, Writing for the Internet: A Guide to Real Communication in

Virtual Space. Greenwood Press, 2010)