Transformers: Rise of Digital Media

In, Writing for Digital Media, by Brian Carroll, chapters 2 and 3 discuss the changes occurring in writing when moving from analog to digital media.  For example, you have a much better opportunity to express your thoughts and opinions online than you would through print media.  Because of this, it is necessary that readers understand the credibility of the author and not assume every piece of work is truthful or of high quality.

Additionally, when online your writing style has to change.  Everything needs to become more to the point  and shorter paragraphs are necessary to maintain attention.

Of course, the more we become accustomed to new media the more visually stimulated we all want to be.  So, when creating your website, blog post, etc, it's necessary to make content easy to find, easy to read and have your display be aesthetically appealing. You may also want to consider the inverted pyramid style of writing to catch the reader's attention. This is where you present the most important or interesting facts first. 

Easy navigation of your content is crucial so the reader doesn't get frustrated or bored. You want to orient users towards the important information and messages you are trying to convey while maintaining consistency and repetition with your text and format so they don't feel lost. 

Although digital media has changed the field of journalism in many ways, some aspects have remained the same.  No matter if you're working through digital or analog media, your writing needs to stay clear, concise, complete and correct.



  Discussion Questions to Ponder:

1) Can non-professional journalists become considered credible journalists on the internet or will their writing forever be viewed as opinion pieces or "hogwash" by the professional journalistic world?

2)If a website or blogger only posts once a week could they ever become popular, or will our need for immediacy prevent them from ever becoming relevant?