Writing for e-Learning Environments

The process of  content development for the web differs from that of writing for a  print medium. Generally, content tends to be more abbreviated. This process is called “chunking.” of text. Chunking involves breaking lengthy complex pieces of information into smaller units. Its purpose is based on the following assumptions:

• online readers tend to scan text
• reading from the computer screen is slower and more difficult than reading from a page
• online readers appreciate interaction along with text.

User Preferences

A study of preferences of online readers revealed the following online reader preferences:

• users want to search
• simple sentence structure was preferred
• informal was preferred to formal style
• scanning is the norm
• text should be broken up
• users like summaries and inverted pyramid writing style
• graphical elements are liked if they complement the text
• Users suggest there is a role for humor and playfulness online.

(Source: Nielsen and Morkes. 1997. Sunsoft Usability studies cited in Campbell, Katy.2004. E-ffective Writing for E-Learning Environments. London: Information Science Publishing)