Writing for the Web: Webifying Features and Spots

Writing for the Web

Webifying Features and Spots

But first, this news…

text

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1. Text can be searched

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Are you reading this text?

2. People like to read

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2. People like to read

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2. People like to read

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3:14 to listen vs. 1:00 to read text (480 words)

3. Text is fast

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Core Publisher sitesJuly 2011 hourly traffic

4. Text is more subtle

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5. Good writing engages

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Nut grafNews value of the storyWhy now?

LedeThe opening of the storyThe lede is not to be buried

Two terms

Writing for the Web

Webifying Features and Spots

Web:But some experts worry that when it comes to their health, boomers are still woefully unprepared — or worse, in denial.

Radio:Some experts worry that the generation now approaching retirement may actually be less healthy in old age and that could have serious financial consequences for the nation as a whole.

Compare nut graphs

Compare ledes

Radio:Most people over 50 think they're likely to be healthier and more active in retirement than their parents were. That's what people said in a poll conducted by NPR, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Harvard School of Public Health. But people may be wrong. Some experts worry that the generation now approaching retirement may actually be less healthy in old age and that could have serious financial consequences for the nation as a whole. NPR's Julie Rovner reports.

JULIE ROVNER: If you want to see what it means to live a long and active life, look no further than the rec room at the Greenspring Village Retirement Community in Springfield, Virginia.

(SOUNDBITE OF VIDEO GAME)

ROVNER: This is the Wii bowling competition for the Northern Virginia Senior Olympics. Up now, the 80 to 99 age group. Given these competitors' age, organizers are making a few accommodations.

Compare ledes

Web:Most baby boomers say they're planning on an active and healthy retirement, according to a new poll conducted by NPR, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Harvard School of Public Health. And, in a switch from earlier years, more than two-thirds recognize the threat of long-term care expenses to their financial futures.

But some experts worry that when it comes to their health, boomers are still woefully unprepared — or worse, in denial.

"The mismatch between how people think the next 10 to 15 years is going to go and what current retirees experience is something that's very consistent," says Jeff Goldsmith, a health care futurist and author of The Long Baby Boom: An Optimistic Vision for a Graying Generation, a book about aging baby boomers. "There is no question that one distinguishing feature of our generation is this extraordinary, almost genetic optimism. And the poll results look to me like a lot of that optimism was drawn from a deep well of self-delusion."

Additional Reporting

From a reader’s perspective:Five differences in Web vs. radio writing

1. The journey isn’t as important as the facts – so give me those first2. I will judge you for poor grammar, spelling and punctuation3. If you can say it better than your source, summarize4. Multiple ideas in one story won’t confuse me – I can reread5. Details, details, details – this proves you know what you’re talking about

From a reader’s perspective:Five similarities in Web vs. radio writing

1. A good story, is a good story, is a good story2. Simple writing is the clearest writing – subject, verb, object3. Sub-headlines signal a change 4. If it’s good, I’ll stay5. People’s names are important

Spots

S: Use bolded subheads to help your audience

C: Convert numbers into digits

B: Break up long paragraphs, sentences and quotes

A: Attribution follows the quote, says vs. said

Q: Put quotation marks around transcribed acts

D: Add details like numbers and helpful links

The QABCDS of converting your script

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Typical newscast online

S: Use bolded subheads to help your audience

C: Convert numbers into digits

B: Break up long paragraphs, sentences and quotes

A: Attribution follows the quote, says vs. said

Q: Put quotation marks around transcribed acts

D: Add details like numbers and helpful links

The QABCDS of converting your script

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Questions?

Ki-Min Sungksung@npr.org310-815-4220