Learning to Change for the Web

In order to succeed as a writer, one must adapt to the fundamental styles of particular genres and satisfy the needs of the audience.  Many believe that writers approach web writing, scientific journalism, magazine writing, and literary nonfiction in the same manner. However, every medium requires a change in audience analysis, style, and development.

I’ve been involved in journalism for 10 years, and have written for sports blogs and sites online for about three years. I never received any formal training or even a tutorial on how to adapt my rhetoric to web audiences. My articles have been fairly popular— but after reading a bevy of articles on web writing and guides to quality site hosting, I now realize I’ve been missing the mark.

In particular, my articles haven’t achieved the levels of readability web users demand. These essential qualities have been lacking in my Internet writing:

• Short, readable articles with one central idea per paragraph


• Bulleted or numbered lists to improve reader comprehension and maintain audience attention (like right now!)


• Emphasizing main points and linking well


• K.I.S.S., or "Keep it Simple, Stupid"-- the beauty of simplicity

In retrospect, I wish I could go back and edit some of my old articles. Luckily, writers don't have to live in the past because we can just craft another article and keep improving. As long as we adapt to our audiences, we have staying power.