The little red writing book - Brandon Royal 2007
Traditional Writing vs. Digital Writing
Appendixes
There are two different platforms across which writing takes place — traditional, paper-based and electronic, digital-based. Three questions may arise when writing for these two different media: Should writing across different platforms be different, and if so, how is it different and what dynamics cause this difference? The debate over whether there should be a difference in terms of writing standards is essentially a values debate to which there is no correct answer. However, from a practical standpoint, there is little doubt that written communication across these media differs and will remain different.
The dynamics that cause a difference between traditional and digital writing center on the distinction between static and non-static written communication. Electronic communication arguably exists to take the place of spoken communication, and to that extent, it is non-static, tending to be more conversational and less structured.
Traditional or paper-based writing is most often associated with formal writing, while electronic or digital-based writing is commonly the domain of informal writing. As mentioned, traditional writing overlaps in large degree with formal writing. Formal writing, loosely defined, is writing consisting of multiple paragraphs that is meant to be distributed and read by one or more persons. Examples of formal written documents include long e-mails, letters, newsletters, news articles, brochures, essays, reports, manuals, and books.
Digital writing dovetails with informal writing. Examples of digital writing include short personal and business e-mails, text messaging, blogging, and messaging on social network sites such as MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter.
How do the different forms of written communication stack up in terms of their likely level of written formality? As briefly summarized next, the higher the technological level, the more informal writing tends to be. Naturally, this analysis embodies a degree of generality. Blogging, for example, can be quite formal, as is the case with blog articles published by the Huffington Post. Most blog responses, however, tend to be as informal as are casual e-mails or text messaging.
Writing — Levels of Informality
Fifth level: text messaging, instant messaging (for example, Yahoo, Skype), and microblogging (Twitter)
Fourth level: blogging, e-mails
Third level: letter writing, articles, newsletters, brochures, websites, memos, flyers, slide shows
Second level: manuals, business reports, academic essays
First level: published documents such as reports, newspapers, magazines, and books
Some of the telltale signs of informality in the digital realm (for better or worse) include the following: shorter sentences; optional punctuation, including non-capitalized words and abbreviated spelling; the use of fewer adjectives and adverbs; the frequent use of ellipses, asterisks, and exclamation points; and the occasional use of smileys and e-mail acronyms.
Many traditionalists object to the use of abbreviated spelling and non-capitalization. For example, dashing off “c u @12 - lunch” translates as “see you at 12 o’clock for lunch.” But consider the level of informality. Assuming this to be a text message, the message, once sent and received, will never be seen again. So what purpose would it serve to make it more formal?
Such informality in written communication may be acceptable for text messaging, but it is considered unacceptable when used in standard expository writing. The point here is that although there is real logic as to why writing may be informal, this does not mean that informal writing is superior to formal writing because it is more practical, less structured, or somehow more authentic. Formal and informal writing are different and serve different purposes.
Also, many readers understand only the most basic smileys and e-mail acronyms. Certain e-mail acronyms are easy to understand — FYI (“For Your Information”), IMHO (“In My Humble/Honest Opinion”), and LOL (“Laughing Out Loud”). But where is the line of readability to be drawn? The average e-mail user would have a devil of a time deciphering each of the following: FYEO (For Your Eyes Only), PMFJI (Pardon Me For Jumping In), and IITYWYBMAD? (If I Tell You Will You Buy Me A Drink?). The same situation holds true for smileys (emoticons), for which actual Smiley Dictionaries exist. Smileys are read by turning the head counterclockwise and looking at them sideways; then the little faces can by seen. Most readers understand :-), ;-), and :-( to mean “I’m happy/it’s funny,” “winking/I think I’m being funny,” and “I’m sad/it’s sad.” But other smileys are enigmatic for the uninitiated, notably: ;-\ (undecided), :-< (very upset), and :-# (my lips are sealed).
Certain writing techniques used in digital communications occur because typographical tools are limited or unavailable. Basic e-mail, for instance, doesn’t provide a way to italicize or underline. And underlining of digital text should be avoided, as it is reserved for use as hyperlinks. In order to place emphasis on certain words and phrases, it is common practice to place them in asterisks or, occasionally, to capitalize them. An employee who e-mails, “You won’t believe how *smoothly* our morning meeting went,” is drawing attention to the word “smoothly” for the purpose of infusing a little sarcasm, as if things hadn’t gone so smoothly after all.
The way information is read on the Internet influences how it is written. Individuals don’t read information online as linearly as they do in printed formats. They tend to skip around, skimming and scanning, then stopping to read chunks of information. How does this affect the way information is written for the web? Columns tend to be narrower (usually not more than seventy-five characters per line), sentences and paragraphs tend to be shorter, more heads and subheads are used to assist the reader in “grabbing” information, and more bolding is commonly used (both in black and in color).
Benefits
In conclusion, the higher the standard one adheres to in all written communication, be it digital or print, the higher will be one’s perceived level of professionalism. The cost is time and effort; the benefit is quality. Each individual must make his or her own “call.” As the English language continues to evolve, with the digital revolution playing a significant role in this evolution, there will always exist a place for “good” writing. Writing that is strong in content, and equally adheres to currently accepted principles and rules — including grammar, spelling, and punctuation — will continue to have a positive influence on its readers.
