Stay in sync with the reader
As citizens morph into netizens, and get entangled in the World Wide Web, writing for this medium has been forced to revise its rules. No longer rigidly structured and formal, the focus today is to remain in tune with times and readership. Writing is not merely the ‘black and white’ of the print medium. Rather, it is a ‘colourful’ art on the Web. To retain its appeal while reaching out to a larger audience, writing has shed its straightjacket image and loosened up. On the Web, the 5 Cs (Current, Coherent, Creative, Clear, Concise) of writing make a world of difference in prompting the reader to ‘stick on’ or quit.
Current
There’s plenty to write about as technological advances prompt every
other function to transform, and keep up with its frenetic pace. The reader
looks to the Web to provide up-to-the-minute information. In consequence,
it is preferable to select topics that are contemporary or give a new
slant to ‘run-of-the-mill’ topics. The writer must have his
finger on the pulse of the readership, else he is doomed to be lost in
the maze on the Web.
Coherent
There is no recourse but to be clear and focused about what you have to
say. The garrulous and the garbled will be tossed aside or lost in the
‘Recycle Bin’. You need to prioritise, and knit points together
to develop an effortless flow in the sequence of thought. It’s best
to work out a plan, research and then get down to the nitty-gritty. A
well-developed piece of writing needs no recommendation, for it is rarely
overlooked.
Creative
Opportunities exist as never before to capitalise on creativity. The Net
gives you freedom to experiment, as a writer. You can doodle and dabble
with colours, use graphics, statistics and the like to make the matter
meaty and memorable. Rigid rules have been nudged aside to give way to
an informal style that connects with the reader. ‘Out-of- the-box’
ideas with regard to theme be it colour or content, are actively encouraged
to innovate and differentiate. If you’ve managed to grab the reader’s
attention amid the clutter, you have a good chance of worming your way
inside his mind and making an impact.
Clear
It is better to be simple rather than obscure. Do not flirt with the reader,
and keep him guessing about your intentions. It merely leaves him tired
and disinterested. If you are forthright and lucid about the subject,
the odds of winning him over are in your favour. You are also likely to
provoke a response and provide food for thought. Short terse sentences,
well –developed paragraphs not more than 5 lines, laced with the
right punctuation make all the difference.
Concise
Brevity is the essence of wit. While the print medium does give scope
to ramble, the Net makes no such allowances. To establish a rapport with
the reader, get to the point quickly. Today, the reader is rushed for
time. And often has to pick up the tab for time he spends surfing the
Web. Trim the verbiage and respect reader’s time and constraints.
With no form or style to conform to, there’s little to weigh you down. You have ample scope to be ‘yourself’ and make a mark. Don’t fritter away the advantage; enjoy the freedom, as you keep the reader hooked on to the Net. It’s a writer’s world, after all!
Anitha
Mathai
[email protected]
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