Writing for the internet presents many new opportunities for journalist to interact with their readers. While blogging and online news have become staples of the journalism world, many publications still have a long way to go when it comes to providing its readers with the most enjoyable experience.
Professor Amy Eisman delighted a classroom of American University students on Friday, when she gave a rousing lecture on the inner-workings of Internet blogging.
As the Director of Writing Programs for the School of Communication, Professor Eisman is responsible for overseeing all of the SOC's Writing for Mass Communication classes. She used her expertise in the field of online blogging and internet writing to speak to a class of impressed students in the Reporting for Mass Communication class.
Professor Eisman spoke about the importance of web-page interactivity in attracting readers to a web site. She also spoke with students about the affect digital photographs and movies have on a blog's readership. The talk not only guided the students down a path of instructions for writing a good blog, but it also exposed them to a dearth of knowledge that could only come from experience.
After spending 17 years as an editor with Gannett, the largest newspaper company in the United States, Eisman moved on to become USA TODAY's cover story editor during its launch in 1982. Currently she is also a member of the Online News Association and has authored multiple online writing training modules for Gannett newsroom writers.
Eisman spoke to a captivated audience of over a dozen students who listened to her speak to them about making good news blogs. She covered everything from using white space well to readers eye patterns. "We don't read pages, we scan," said Eisman as she described what readers tend to do while looking at a web page.
Professor Eisman ended her lecture at around 12:20 am. She ended early and left a satisfied class pondering their own online careers. Below is a video that Professor Eisman showed during the lecture that describes the importance of html language in a new digital news world.
Web 2.0
