Good Internet Writing

A conversation with my tech savvy sister made me rethink my ideas on writing. I realized how writing blogs is different from academic writing that I'm used to. Both are two different things.

Academic writing involves too much details. Texts have to be crammed with arguments and examples.The result is usually a cramped, boring text.

Blogs on the other hand should be made for light reading. Texts should be short and concise. Take the reader in mind by making texts readable and entertaining.

I have outlined her suggestions for good internet writing:

1. Limit paragraphs to 3-5 sentences.

2. Paragraph lines should be confined to 12 words.

3. Always use left indent when writing.

4. Make texts big enough to be read on screen.

I admit that these suggestions are a tall order. It simply restricts the flow of ideas. However, this is the internet. The eyes can only take too much radiation.

Blogging is all about sharing experiences in the open. You can't share anything to anyone if your texts are a pain to read. Making texts readable is the least an author can do. Only then could interest and meaningful sharing can happen.

________________________________
Illustrations Cited:

Florida Sunlink Project
http://www.sunlink.ucf.edu/presentations/fetc2004/writing.html

Thinkquest Library
http://library.thinkquest.org/J001156/penny.htm