What types of online writing are there?
Online writing is communicating on and through digital media to accomplish an objective using a method dependent on the intended audience and for a specific purpose. Writing for digital media transforms traditional writing by adopting characteristics associated with oral communication. Integral elements of online writing are connectivity, fluidity, interactivity, and value.[1]
Types of Online Writing
Types of online writing include:
- Business communication
- Content writing
- Personal publishing
Business Communication
Electronic data interchange (EDI) and email are the primary methods of electronic communication, via an online network connection, in the business environment. The purpose of electronic business communication is to organize, share and protect data necessary for effective business operations. For the purpose of limiting business communication to only online communication this section addresses business email, the primary medium through which business communications are transacted online.
Business Email Format
All business communication by email should adhere to certain formatting criteria and should:
- Be clear, concise, and to the point
- Avoid unnecessary download time required for fancy fonts, graphics, or stationary backgrounds
- Be scannable and limited to a single topic per email
- Be professional in tone and structure
Business emails should be concise and to the point. Use plain text and common fonts with a simple signature line. Fancy graphics, fonts, and backgrounds can take up unnecessary storage space in the recipient’s inbox and may load slowly, or not at all. Stick to one topic in a business email and write only the things that are appropriate for anyone to read, as email forwarding makes it possible for originally unintended parties to receive the email. Proper grammar and spelling is very important in business emails because it reflects on you and your abilities. Attachments should be prepared in a format that any recipient can easily access/download.
Content Writing
Web page copy, or information and articles, is referred to as content. The purpose of content writing is to engage readers and can be informative, entertaining, persuasive, or a combination of purposes.[2] Frequently, content writing is utilized by companies, through search engine optimization (SEO), to drive increased business through marketing.
Personal Publishing
The digital medium has directed written communication away from the traditional format of being a one-way delivery of information to the reader. Personal publishing has created an interactive and participatory form of communication with the reader, who can now also be a writer.[3] Weblogs, or blogs, and social media (i.e. Twitter, Facebook, etc.) are forms of personal publishing that have allowed for real-time exchange of visual media and information. Inter-connectivity leverages individuals to become "citizen-journalists" through crowdsourcing.
References
- ↑ Ferris, Sharmilla Pixy "Writing Electronically: The Effects of Computers on Traditional Writing." Journal of Electronic Publishing 8.1 (2002): 1. Journal of Electronic Publishing.Web. 9 July 2013.
- ↑ Reid, Stephen and Dawn Kowalski "Understanding Your Purpose." Colorado State University (1994-2002): [email protected]. Available at: http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/page.cfm?pageid=25. 8 July 2013.
- ↑ Carroll, Brian. Writing for Digital Media. New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2010. Print.
