Writing for the Web
Think about the last time you couldn't put down a book. You were so invested, waiting for what was to come next and kept your eyes glued to the pages. What made the story so interesting?
Think about the last time you clicked on an article notification that popped up on your phone. What urged you to click on it?
The answers to both these questions would be the finesse of simple and relatable writing.
As easy as writing may seem, it's not.
The Challenges of Writing
William Zinnser's book "On Writing Well" emphasizes over and over that "Writing is hard work," (Zinsser 9).
For some, writing may come more naturally than others. Some people can write the way they talk and lay words on a page. However, even those who have a natural flow need to re-read, revise and simplify their work.
The hardest part about writing goes back to the first sentence of this blog post: Making it look easy.
Another huge challenge writers face today is keeping a person hooked. With the rise of technology and fast-paced apps such as "TikTok," people are losing focus as they mindlessly scroll through their feeds.
In fact, it's more common for online readers to skim than to actually read.
Overcoming the Challenges
In today's digital world, it is crucial for any writer, journalist, blogger or person who relays messages through writing to understand how to write engaging content.
Some of Sue Dunlevie's "16 Rules of Blog Writing and Layout" include the use of:
- Scannable formats for skimmers
- Headers and Sub Headers
- Lists
- Short Paragraphs
- Limited Italics
- Images
- Consistency
The Takeaway
Writers today must understand the minds of modern readers. While living in a fast-paced world, multitasking has become more of an everyday norm. With that comes a lack of zoning into one task at a time. The more people engage in multitasking, the less likely they will want to sit down and read an article, blog or book word per word.
Overall, the simpler and more refined a piece of writing is, the more likely the writer will catch and keep the reader's attention.
Works Cited
16 rules of blog writing and layout. which ones are you breaking? 16 Rules of Blog Writing and Layout. Which Ones Are You Breaking? | Just Read. (n.d.). Retrieved January 29, 2023, from https://justread.link/g43RhVlI7
Zinsser, W. (2013). On writing well. Harper Paperbacks.