What is Scan-ability?

Definition

Scan-ability is the tendency of online readers to scan digital content before they choose to read it. By understanding scan-ability and utilizing specific concepts in blog writing, writers of digital media can increase their readers' ability to understand digital content.

Difference between digital media and physical media

Reading digital media differs from reading traditional print media in a number of ways. One of the most apparent ways is that readers of digital media must read their text from computer screens. <ref>Jakob Nielsen<ref> explains, "Reading from computer screens is tiring for the eyes and about 25 percent slower than reading from paper."

How to layer the elements of your blog

Text

Headlines, subheads, and sub-subheads

One-sentence teasers and lead-ins

Brief summary paragraphs

Text Visuals

Highlighted key words

Use of color

Bulleted lists

Multimedia

Graphics

Audio and video clips

Links

Related stories and links

Examples

What to do

What not to do

References