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Today just about anyone can write for an online community. But as we have discussed in class, not all writing posted on the Internet is good writing. Additionally, there are a number of important elements beyond just writing that distinguishes bad blogs from excellent ones.<\/p>\n
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In my opinion, one of the most important of these elements is design. Visual presentation is one of the first things I notice when I visit a blog. Also, as we learned from \u201cWriting for Digital Media\u201d design elements can greatly impact a blog or website\u2019s credibility (25). For example, if the first thing I see on a blog is a thought provoking image or an interesting, visually appealing title it is very likely that I\u2019ll spend some time exploring the site. However, if the blog is written in an unclear font, or it has too many advertisements distracting me from the blogs content then I am likely going to discredit the website and look for a different one. A great example of a visually appealing blog is a blog we viewed in class called: \u201cHumans of New York\u201d. When you visit this website there is a clear title across the top, large images, and clean lines. It is apparent right away that images are the focus of this blog. There is a menu bar across the top of the page, which makes the site easy to navigate and there is a Facebook link in the top right corner that makes the page easy to share.<\/p>\n
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Another important element (which relates to design) is what Carroll refers to as \u201cscan-ability\u201d. Carroll writes that one study showed that about 79% of Web users merely scan a new page they download (31).\u00a0 A blog can achieve this \u201cscan-ability\u201d through: highlighted key words, hypertext links, typeface variation, use of color, subheadings, bulleted lists, paragraphs with one idea each, and by having information displayed in an inverted pyramid style (31).\u00a0 I think that these features are key to an excellent blog because great blogs are ones that are easily viewed, and read. An excellent blog should be able to catch the attention of readers. I think creating lists, using bold colors, highlighting keywords, and writing interesting, short captions forces readers, or in this case \u201cscanners\u201d to stop and view what a blog is offering. I think lengthy paragraphs, unclear titles, small fonts, etc. prevent readers from being able to easily understand what a blog\u2019s purpose is, and I think this makes it less likely to be read and enjoyed. As Carroll writes, blogs should be able to download properly, present itself, and engage the viewer in approximately three seconds (31).<\/p>\n
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Furthermore, I think that an excellent blog is one that has a unique voice. I often seek out blogs because I want to read something more informal, fun, and unique than for example, something I would read in a textbook for class. Carroll writes about this point and states that: \u201cBlogs represent an important step for journalism outlets in generating more audience by offering more expression by individual voices. The \u2018everyday person\u2019 voice of many blogs encourages identification versus the dispassionate, clinical voice of traditional media\u201d (27). A good example of this is a blog we discussed in class, \u201cThe Bloggess\u201d. I think that this blog\u2019s appeal comes largely from the creative voice of the blogs author. When you read things such as \u201cI apologize for the lack of python fights. \u00a0I just wanted to see if you were paying attention\u201d you as a reader know you are getting a unique perspective. It almost feels like you are engaging in a casual conversation with the author. To use Rosenwasser and Stephen\u2019s words in \u201cWriting Analytically\u201d the writing in \u201cThe Bloggess\u201d is very exploratory (17). Her writing is funny, and clever, it keeps you guessing, and it is far from your typical five-paragraph essay.<\/p>\n
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Liz Bruno<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Today just about anyone can write for an online community. But as we have discussed in class, not all writing posted on the Internet is good writing. Additionally, there are a number of important elements beyond just writing … Continue reading