Web Based Digital Media for College Writing Students: Difference between revisions
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====[[Design|Design]]==== | ====[[Design|Design]]==== | ||
The design of a webpage's layout is very important when writing for the web. In digital writing, design pertains to the look of the website and arrangement of the text, graphics, and other objects that make up the site. A website's design must be consistent, usable, and navigable. | :The design of a webpage's layout is very important when writing for the web. In digital writing, design pertains to the look of the website and arrangement of the text, graphics, and other objects that make up the site. A website's design must be consistent, usable, and navigable. | ||
====[[Photos|Photos]]==== | ====[[Photos|Photos]]==== | ||
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[[File:Layout.gif|thumb|right|<ref> webitRabbit </ref>]] | [[File:Layout.gif|thumb|right|<ref> webitRabbit </ref>]] | ||
Photos assist in providing information to the audience visually. Photos play a huge part in attracting readers, and unprofessional or broken photos can result in loss of [[expertise|credibility]] for the site and site owner. | :Photos assist in providing information to the audience visually. Photos play a huge part in attracting readers, and unprofessional or broken photos can result in loss of [[expertise|credibility]] for the site and site owner. | ||
File formats in photos differ, typically falling into categories such as: | |||
* GIF | :* GIF | ||
* JPEG | :* JPEG | ||
* PNG | :* PNG | ||
* BMP | :* BMP | ||
====[[Contact]]==== | ====[[Contact]]==== | ||
Contact information should be included on every page of a website because it suggests credibility and accountability. When including contact information in a website, navigation should always be considered. There must be a clear way of obtaining contact information from each page. Student's can include contact information by creating a separate page and including the page in the main menu, or at the bottom of each page. Contact information should incorporate: | :Contact information should be included on every page of a website because it suggests credibility and accountability. When including contact information in a website, navigation should always be considered. There must be a clear way of obtaining contact information from each page. Student's can include contact information by creating a separate page and including the page in the main menu, or at the bottom of each page. Contact information should incorporate: | ||
*First and last name | :*First and last name | ||
*Email address | :*Email address | ||
*Business telephone number (if applicable) | :*Business telephone number (if applicable) | ||
*Business address (if applicable) | :*Business address (if applicable) | ||
If students are not willing to display their contact information, contact forms should be included. Students can also include links to their Twitter, Facebook, Linked In, and/or Wordpress, which are other means of contact through social media websites. | :If students are not willing to display their contact information, contact forms should be included. Students can also include links to their Twitter, Facebook, Linked In, and/or Wordpress, which are other means of contact through social media websites. | ||
====[[Usability|Usability]]==== | ====[[Usability|Usability]]==== | ||
Keeping the web page scannable and redundant will help with how well a user understands the points given. By using links and being consistent, the writer is adding to the overall use of the site. | :Keeping the web page scannable and redundant will help with how well a user understands the points given. By using links and being consistent, the writer is adding to the overall use of the site. | ||
====[[Scanability|Scanability]]==== | ====[[Scanability|Scanability]]==== | ||
Scanability is one of the of the key tools to online layout. "Web users scan content rather than reading word for word. Scanners need clues, signposts and highlights, so content should be shaped for scanning. "<ref> Carroll </ref> | :Scanability is one of the of the key tools to online layout. "Web users scan content rather than reading word for word. Scanners need clues, signposts and highlights, so content should be shaped for scanning. "<ref> Carroll </ref> | ||
* '''Headlines''' | :* '''Headlines''' | ||
**Subheads | :**Subheads | ||
* [[Help:Editing|Links]] | :* [[Help:Editing|Links]] | ||
* ''Font'' | :* ''Font'' | ||
** size | :** size | ||
**color | :**color | ||
* Image/Graphic | :* Image/Graphic | ||
====[[Relevance and Support|Relevance and Support]]==== | ====[[Relevance and Support|Relevance and Support]]==== | ||
When upper-level college students are writing for the web having relevant sources and links are essential to the credibility of the page. Linking to outside sources that are knowledgeable in the area can improve the direction of the webpage, and show expertise. When not following these guidelines by linking to certain sources, and content not relevant to the topic the site will lose credibility. | :When upper-level college students are writing for the web having relevant sources and links are essential to the credibility of the page. Linking to outside sources that are knowledgeable in the area can improve the direction of the webpage, and show expertise. When not following these guidelines by linking to certain sources, and content not relevant to the topic the site will lose credibility. | ||
==Digital and Social Media== | ==Digital and Social Media== |
Revision as of 11:53, 26 November 2012
Content coming soon.
Writing
When writing for the digital media, the author is not just the writer, but also the publisher, the editor, the graphic designer, and the marketer. Therefore when writing for the digital media, there are more mechanics that the author needs to consider than when writing for traditional publishing where usually the sole job of the author is to write. Issues that might usually be the concern of an editor or proofreader-if the writing is good, identification, and expertise-must be the concern of the author.
Good Writing
- When writing for any type of media, one of the most important issues is to keep the reader reading.
Identification
- In order to better address the interests, concerns, and questions of the audience, writing should focus on a small targeted community.
Expertise
- Consistent navigation and attractive design
Layout
Layout is the visual and technical aspect of web based writing. The site's design must include high-quality images. Personal web pages and sites must also be easily usable and include contact information that is accessible on each page. Not only does site layout include visual elements, it also involves the navigation bar used to travel through the website, the headers and footers used for scanability, and the references supplied by links and other relevance support.
Design
- The design of a webpage's layout is very important when writing for the web. In digital writing, design pertains to the look of the website and arrangement of the text, graphics, and other objects that make up the site. A website's design must be consistent, usable, and navigable.
Photos
- Photos assist in providing information to the audience visually. Photos play a huge part in attracting readers, and unprofessional or broken photos can result in loss of credibility for the site and site owner.
File formats in photos differ, typically falling into categories such as:
- GIF
- JPEG
- PNG
- BMP
Contact
- Contact information should be included on every page of a website because it suggests credibility and accountability. When including contact information in a website, navigation should always be considered. There must be a clear way of obtaining contact information from each page. Student's can include contact information by creating a separate page and including the page in the main menu, or at the bottom of each page. Contact information should incorporate:
- First and last name
- Email address
- Business telephone number (if applicable)
- Business address (if applicable)
- If students are not willing to display their contact information, contact forms should be included. Students can also include links to their Twitter, Facebook, Linked In, and/or Wordpress, which are other means of contact through social media websites.
Usability
- Keeping the web page scannable and redundant will help with how well a user understands the points given. By using links and being consistent, the writer is adding to the overall use of the site.
Scanability
- Scanability is one of the of the key tools to online layout. "Web users scan content rather than reading word for word. Scanners need clues, signposts and highlights, so content should be shaped for scanning. "[2]
- Headlines
- Subheads
- Links
- Font
- size
- color
- Image/Graphic
- Headlines
Relevance and Support
- When upper-level college students are writing for the web having relevant sources and links are essential to the credibility of the page. Linking to outside sources that are knowledgeable in the area can improve the direction of the webpage, and show expertise. When not following these guidelines by linking to certain sources, and content not relevant to the topic the site will lose credibility.
Digital and Social Media
Digital and social media sites are changing the way that we interact with the world both professionally and personally. Students who can proficiently utilize socially based networks as well as other digital writing mediums have an edge in their future career endeavors. Ideally, student-based environments that employ good writing can communicate optimally online. Students who use good web writing skills developed in college ... Because an online presence is becoming an employer's first impression of an applicant, it is essential to create an effective personal brand.
Platforms that support professional presence, personality, and perspective include:
See Also
Notes
References
- Carrol, Brian. (2010). "Writing for Digital Media". New York: Routledge. Retrieved 29 Oct 2012.
- webitRabbit. (2012). "Basic Website Layout". Orange County, California:LLC. Image. Retrieved 26 Nov 2012.