Amy Eisman/American University/aeisman@american.edu
"Visual editing"
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Break copy into bullets
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Use white space well; space between paragraphs; paragraphs of 1 or 2 sentences
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Break up blocks of type with subheads
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Consider sidebars, boxes, timelines, graphics
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Break stories into topic areas or chunks
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Write copy that works with visuals; readers see "display" type first
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Remember that Web stories should have interactivity, archives, links and multimedia – elements you can't get from broadcast or print
"Web headlines"
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Read the complete article before writing a headline or blurb. Don't steal first paragraph.
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Read the headlines aloud. If you trip over your words, so will the reader.
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Collaborate – work as a team if you have the opportunity.
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Show your headline to a colleague for instant feedback.
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Find key words and make sure they are in display type.
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Reach for memorable verbs.
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Insist on meaningful modifiers, ones that add detail or context.
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Use simple structure: subject-verb-object.
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Don't back into sentence with prepositional phrase
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Avoid puns unless they actually tell a story.
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If a headline doesn't work, it doesn't work. Try something else.
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If you are stuck on deadline, go with something safe – but return later
"Current broad trends"
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More pictures, more video, better presentation
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Better text – SEO
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Social networking
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User-generated content
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More readers finding content "sideways"
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Hyper-link off site
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Mobility (information on mobile phones)
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Transparency
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Experimentation
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Mapping/database
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Search is everything
Additional resources
For fun
