Reading Online vs. Reading A Book
Public Speaking Rule No. 1: Know Your Audience
Basically this means that you should know enough about your audience to effectively impart information in a way that stimulates their thinking or motivates them to action.
How Can This Be Done
- Research your audience through interaction
- Consider what they already know about a subject and build on that information
- Make use of comparisons and contrasts for better understanding
- Explain how the information benefits them
- Pay attention to your “choice words”
- Add humor and stir
Tips for Bloggers
I was reading this interesting article online about how our eyes pay attention to information that we read online vs. what we read in a book.
It mentioned that when reading online our eyes are more likely to scan large blocks of text rather than read the entire paragraph. It suggested that we use short sentence fragments instead.
The use of bullets, lists and occasional use of bold is more likely to get a reader’s attention and the use of links gives our text more authority.
I have to admit, when I see a large block of text on an unfamiliar blog or website, I get ‘the lazy eye’ and I start scanning. With a book, I expect larger groups of words on a page and I read differently.
When you look at early research, it’s fascinating to see that even in the days of green phosphorus monitors, studies found that there wasn’t a huge difference in speed and comprehension between reading on-screen and reading on paper. Paper was the clear winner only when test subjects were asked to skim the text.
Maybe it’s the time factor. The web is for surfing and books are for nursing.
I never gave too much thought to eye tracking studies and what people really pay attention to when reading online so if you made it to the end of this post, bless you.
When you write a post for your blog, do you consider your readers? If so, how?
Do you think about how you can get them involved and not just skimming posts?
Do you worry about writing lengthy posts are do you prefer to keep it short and to the point?
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Hi Natural,
I do agree…the large blocks of text can lead to scanning. I frequent some blogs where the posts are lengthy and filled with large blocks of text, and only because I know the author is a great writer, I will read it all. If it’s on a new site, I’m more apt to scan it.
I try to write short posts and don’t use too many large blocks of text. I know most bloggers have a short attention span, so I try to cater to that.
Barbara Swaffords last blog post..The Biggest Mistake I Made In Blogging
oooohhh, weeee
You have avatars in your comments now.
Love it!!!!!
Barbara Swaffords last blog post..The Biggest Mistake I Made In Blogging
I learned a long time ago that if I have a lot to say to break it up into small paragraphs with lots of links and boldness for sh*ts and giggles.
If there comes a time when I need to keep a long paragraph going I will throw in an “This sentence is here just to break up the monotony” just to keep things interesting.
I’ve also found out that having pictures in every post is key. Even if a picture isn’t really necessary to get the point across, I’ll toss one in just because.
TOPolks last blog post..What’s Our Purpose?
Whatever moves me on that given day .
sandy kezzelas last blog post..Friday Yet???
Hi Natural,
I agree with this analysis. Skellie @ Skeilliewag.org argued that for the bloggers, grammar is not as important as punchy writing as readers scan through the blocks of text. It makes more sense after reading your post.
Shilpan
Shilpan | successsoul.coms last blog post..How to Cultivate Mental Clarity and Happiness
I keep my posts short & to the point, but that’s about it. Some people are just always going to scan, IF that.
I remember one of many instances…I posted a picture I’d taken of a green anole (small, local lizard,) & included a link in the text for more info about them. Inevitably, among the comments, someone HAD to ask, “what’s an anole?” Like DUH! Click the damned link, idiot!
It almost seems as though, with the advent of the internet (a global library, in effect,) an epidemic of intellectual laziness has arisen. Everything everyone could want to know is at their fingertips, but they all expect others to spoon feed them info, which they’ll accept w/o question. /end rant
Lanas last blog post..Quick Update
I don’t think we need to dumb things down for our audience. I understand what you are saying but I think of my blog more so like a magazine. I write articles (posts) that I think people might enjoy the content of.
I like to model the proper use of the English language and still be able to reach a majority of people. I think if people give my blog a chance they will stick with it despite long paragraphs.
That being said, I try to limit my posts to about 300 words. And my paragraphs are shorter than they would be for a mag. I think a blog is a different beast but NOT that different.
Chase Marchs last blog post..Our Perception is Flawed
Hi Natural: I think that the easier you make things for people to read your blog, the better. I want to the my font a little bit bigger and separate the lines, just so my blog is easier on the eyes. I also want to make the subtitles a color different than black.
Marelisas last blog post..50 Ways to Celebrate Life Every Day
I do consider my readers, not in the sense that I write what I think they would want to read (I write about what I find interesting and hope for the best), but in the sense that I do try to write shorter posts and keep the paragraphs short. I also use bold occasionally. As an online reader, I read the blogs that I REALLY like (yours is one of them by the way!) and scan all the rest.
I don’t mind people scanning my posts. I don’t consider myself a writer but rather a person that likes to think and ask questions and has a decent ability to write. I am here to convey ideas, to ask interesting questions, to spark discussions. My short posts often generate a discussion that is at least as interesting as my longer posts.
Tomorrow I am going to publish a longer post, by the way, and I am definitely concerned that it’s too long. Tonight I will probably do some editing and re-editing to make it as short as possible.
Vereds last blog post..Apparently, Easy-To-Operate Stuff Was Invented, Because Women Are STUPID (Wordless Wednesday)
Hey Val - I def. write long posts.. When it first happened, I didn’t know what to think. There were so many important points to illustrate.
Sometimes I entertain the thought of writing differently and just may - but usually I like to think of my posts as resources that someone can come back and refer to. Certain things don’t need a long post of course. But since I’m writing so many how-to’s, heavy topics, or answering letters with posts - I get lengthy.
I COULD use tips to break it up though and sometimes try.
I’m a work in progress (lol like my long comment?) 
JEMi | Tips for Life, Love, Yous last blog post..Big Dreams: 10 Critical Keys to Your Success - Part 2
I totally keep my readers in mind when I post. I think about what I like to write about then I think about what my readers would be interested in and then I find the happy medium.
I try to keep my post short so that my readers won’t skim.
chriss last blog post..Goodbye My Sweet Prince and Princesses
All excellent points that do seem to hold true… I do for the most part try to keep my posts short and to the point and stay away from huge blocks of text…
As you’re aware… I tell crazy-ass true stories on my blog that can get lengthy so what I’ll do sometimes is break a long story into multiple posts which also hopefully creates some anticipation in my readers
Pictures help… links are great… and just like you did here… asking a question or two at the end of your post definitely baits more comments
Public Speaking? Id rather hang myself.
I try to make short, clean simple paragraphs, but mostly, I am a run-on-sentence freak and that makes for messy posts.
meleah rebeccahs last blog post..I AM HOME
PS: Man am I happy to be home again. I have REALLY missed you & this blog.
THANK YOU sooooooo much for all of your WONDERFUL comments on my Flickr Account of the vacation shots.
You Are Awesome!!!!!
meleah rebeccahs last blog post..I AM HOME
Those blogging tips were interesting. I must admit that when I’m blog hopping, and I run across a loooooooong post, I don’t even TRY to read every word. I scan. Usually, though- I skip it entirely. That’s why I try to keep mine as short as possible.
Corrinas last blog post..Happy Hump Day
I’m much the same way..I am a book nurser..I tend to block read online although I make an effort not to..it’s amazing the stuff you find when you slow the process of online reading down
Confuseds last blog post..Regrets
Over time, I made some changes to my blog. I enlarged the font to 12pt and changed the font to Georgia, which I consider easier to read. I also break up paragraphs more. Finally, I write less.
I’m with Corrina. A post that’s too long really has to be compelling for me to read every word and read to the end. I try to remember that when I’m writing my own posts. I always ask myself “Would I read this whole thing? Or would I skim/skip?”
Kathys last blog post..1972: A Good Year for Ophthalmology
Barbara, I guess it’s okay if people scan, but I’m assuming that if you take the time to write a lengthy post, wouldn’t you want people to read all of it? I admit when I see large amounts of text, I might bookmark it for later reading, skim it or not read it at all. Yep, my avatars are showing. It’s so nice to put a face with the name.
TOPolk, that’s something I forget when it comes to posting, adding pictures. It does break up the text and gives you something else to look at. I like pictures that are teachers within themselves, that kind of tell a story without the text. I have to look for more of them, thanks for that reminder.
Sandy, it’s like that some times.
Shilpan I tried accessing that website, but the link does not work. Well English is like my 36th language so I don’t have any grammar skills, so I can’t speak on that, but I can format the heck out of a short paragraph if that’s what it takes. Make it look nice. ;/
Lana, I will say that is one thing I love about your blog, the links you incorporate in your posts. It helps me get a better understanding of what you’re writing about. It’s so funny that you should mention this “epidemic of intellectual laziness”. The original title of this post was titled with a similar thought in mind, but I changed it later. I might resurrect the thought at a later time.
Hi Chase, no I don’t think we need to dumb down information, my focus was on what attracts readers and how the eye responds to what it see. I figure we have a few seconds to grab a visitor, do we punch them in a face with a great opening line? Wow them with a picture, throw a statistic at them? As an EC user, I’m starting to drop my card a lot more, I’m not reading blogs, I’m doing a drop and run, but there have been a few that have caught my eye and those are the ones I put in my reader or leave a comment on.
Marelisa, it’s something to think about. If your audience is asleep, you have to wake them up, somehow. Thanks for the reminder to make my font bigger
Vered, I feel the same way. I write and hope for the best. There are some things that should be considered and if we’re trying to, at first, catch a web surfer’s eye, then the “how” seems important. I’ll be there tomorrow to read your post, no matter how long it is.
JEMi, I already know that about your blog, so I save your posts for when I have time to sit down and really read them. It’s not a drive thru over at InMyHeels, it’s a sit down gourmet meal. If you wrote a short post, I would feel cheated.
RG, the first post I read of yours was a long one, but you were still able to capture my attention and I read it all and I was surfing.
Chris, that’s a great formula.
Girlfriend is back! Uh Meleah, you would be doing more gurgling if you hung yourself, don’t do that. keke. Okay I read your long posts ’cause I’m afraid I’m going to miss something funny. I run on and dot dot dot think one thing and type another myself. I’m glad you’re back too, can’t wait to read about your vaka…your pictures are great!
Corrina yours is another I can read with no problem no matter how long or short it is. I even read your tweets, is that what they’re called?
Confused, life gets hectic, we skim, we skip, we block read and in the process when we slow down we find something great. I have.
Kathy, even my print is almost too small for me. You’ve made it easier for people to leave comments on your blog and it works. Great point to remember: Would I read this?
hi, there are a common misconception that : once you get at the spotlight just stick to the content,no fluff stuff,no trivial,no funny stories whasoever.
public speaking tipss last blog post..The Art Of Public Speaking : Using Humor
I say it depends on many things such as your audience, subject matter, etc. I can’t stand a dead speaker, some times humor can connect you with your audience. I respect those who can teach me something and make me laugh at the same time. The information is more memorable to me.