Writing on the Web

Writing on the web is slightly different than writing on paper. The audience that reads items on the web usually scans and skims the computer screen to find topics that interest them. They don't necessarily read word-for-word unless they are attracted to a topic. It is important to list the main ideas of the article first in order to attract attention. After you have the reader's attention, then you can expand on the subject matter. A helpful tool to use when writing on the web is including links to sources and supplemental information. This will add to the writer's credibility, and it will enhance the reader's knowledge.

It is important to be careful when transferring a document written on paper to the web. You want to make sure that directional cues are not confusing when reading on the web. For instance, "at the top of the page" might make sense on paper, but it would not necessarily make sense on the web. If your document is extremely long, it might be beneficial to shorten it if it is possible. One final piece of advice is to convert documents to PDF style so that all readers can access the files.

Writing on the web and on paper is different, but the main objectives are still the same. You still want to have a target audience, carefully organize your thoughts, and use language that the average person can understand. The web is a great place to post work for the world to see!