Teaching Writing and Editing

in a Digital World

September 13, 2013

Introductions

Rosemary Jean-LouisWeb Content Curator/Blogger GPB New Media & Education

gpb.org/education gpb.org/blogs/passion-for-learning

404-685-2544

gpb.org/education

Session Poll

What do you read and what device are you using to read “stuff” with?

Screen Friendly Content

The way content is organized, written and edited has to accommodate multiple screen sizes.

*Responsive design

Screen Friendly Content

Text must be flexible enough to accompany other digital elements:

•Video •Still Images •Slideshows•Infographics

Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World

Objectives:

Review writing techniques and best practices that can be applied across

multiple screens.

Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World

Objectives:

Review writing exercises that you can apply yourselves and students can

apply.

Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World

Objectives:

Review how to incorporate PBS Learning Media in teaching some of these

techniques.

Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World

Resource

The Yahoo! Style Guide

Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World

TIP #1

Construct text for digital reading:

• Put most important information/idea first

• Keep sentences and paragraphs short

• Use clear words for navigation and links

Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World

Example Before & After Paragraph

BEFORE HOME PAGE:Architronixx, founded by an architect, Jay Pogue, an engineer,

Barry Beasley, and a sound engineer, Mari DeHart, was a totally new concept in 1981, when it was founded. The idea - a firm that merged architecture, structural engineering, and acoustics - was brand new. Today, Architronixx is still the leader in the field it pioneered almost three decades ago, and our buildings have garnered praise from national and international authorities...

Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World

Example Before & After Paragraph

AFTER HOME PAGE :In 1981, Architronixx invented a new concept: buildings that

combine innovative architecture, intelligent engineering, and acoustic design. Today, Architronixx is still the leader in the field it pioneered almost three decades ago.

Learn more about how our designs work.

Walk through our award-winning buildings.

Read about our founders.

Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World

Suggested Real World Exercise:

Choose a text heavy print brochure and have students rewrite and reformat it as

a website homepage.

Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World

Common Core StandardsCCW 4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the

development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

CCW 5: Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach.

Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World

TIP #2

Make Text Scan Friendly:

• Write strong, concise headlines

• Bold headlines

• Use subheadlines that break up text

• Bold keywords

• Use bulleted and numbered lists

Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World

Example Before & After Paragraph

BEFORE:Everyone loves a picnic, which makes this deluxe picnic

basket set the the perfect gift. You’ll find it’s fully loaded with plates, glasses, flatware, and napkins for four, plus a bread knife, a cutting board, salt and pepper shakers, and a corkscrew. It even comes with a fleece blanket for the family to sit on. Buy it now for only $49.99.

Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World

Example Before & After Paragraph

AFTER:This deluxe picnic basket set makes the perfect gift. It’s fully

loaded with:

• Plates, glasses, flatware, and napkins for four

• Bread knife and cutting board

• Salt and pepper shakers

• Corkscrew

• Fleece blanket

Buy it now - $49.99

Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World

TIP #3

Develop and write for different digital styles:

Blogs - editorial/opinion writing

E-newsletters - Persuasive/marketing writing

Emails - Professional/business style writing

Articles - “Just the Facts” informational writing

Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World

TIP #4

Write around and to include digital elements:

Images - Write clear captions/select appropriate images

Videos - Summarize videos you are using

Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World

Suggested Real World Exercise #2:

Choose a brochure for a product and rewrite it as a blog post, e-newsletter,

online article and/or email to a teacher.

What would that look like?

Common Core Standard: CCW4, CCW5

What is PBS Learning Media? gpb.pbslearningmedia.org

How do You Access it?:

•Sign up, register and login to get full access.

•gpb.pbslearningmedia.org

OR gpb.org/education - scroll down to login to it.

Teaching Writing and Editing in a Digital World

Questions?

Contact

Rosemary Jean-LouisWeb Content Curator/Blogger GPB New Media & Education

gpb.org/education Twitter: @gpbeducation

404-685-2500