Writing online - should we keep it plain and simple or write with language desig

1. 61

   Article Magickposted 14 years ago

   Writing online - should we keep it plain and simple or write with language designed to impress...?
   
   I often hear writers say that to write online for profit means compromising art for the sake of being found and read by the masses. What is your opinion; can you still write welland sell online or is writing for the web a basic form of literature?
   
   

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2. 60

   xxfourthelementposted 14 years ago

   I feel that all writing, regardless of type, should be accessible to readers; what's the point of writing something that no one can read?
   
   Writing for the web requires a delicate balance between art and clarity.  Much of the level of balance depends on the article you are working on.

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3. 76

   charlesroringposted 14 years ago

   Online articles are read by people from all over the world including those who live in China, India, Russia, and Indonesia. These countries represent the largest number of population in the world. The educated population in these countries also learn English at schools. The type of English which they study is standard plain English. We can use impressive wordings in our sentences but not too many. Plain English is still the best way to convey our ideas on the internet especially if we really want to make money from our articles.

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4. 61

   MickSposted 14 years ago

   The idea of article writing is to convey your message to as many people as possible in the simplest, clearest voice.
   If you wish to go into pretentious, arty-farty, erudite language, go for literature with a capital L where you don't have to be clear, you just need people to be amazed at you marvelous use of high language, even if they only pretend to know what you're writing about.

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5. 60

   Liv Senstadposted 14 years ago

   The internet has no boarders and the articles are read by people around the globe- -both English speaking people and people for whom English is the second language. I think articles should be written in a simple and clear language without slang and too complicated words. You can of course use humor but be careful because humor is related to culture- - people might not understand it and might even get hurt.

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6. 60

   TomC35posted 14 years ago

   I think since so many people want to focus on keywords and phrases they ignore what may sound best.

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7. 61

   Mavis Nongposted 14 years ago

   Keep it plain and simple. There is no need to use big words to impress people. I for one, I don't like reading such articles which require me to refer to my dictionary, off putting!

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8. 0

   Butch Newsposted 14 years ago

   Plain English is good.  Trying to sound intellectual or using endless adjectives and metaphors is for wanna-be writers who think Victorian English is the high point of civilization.
   
   Most people will find it tedious and boring.  Those under 16 are inventing new ways to shorten words and phrases.  Or, as Joe Friday said "just the facts ma'am, just the facts".
   
   And if you aren't well educated, what you think will impress will likely show those who know that you're just some idiot who is trying to impress.  They won't be impressed at all.

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9. 60

   garyyoungbergposted 14 years ago

   Articles are a communication medium.  Once you know your target audience, you need to write to them and for them.  Whether you write more formally or in a very relaxed manner depends on your audience.  When a good salesperson makes an important call, they dress to make their prospect comfortable. They also talk at a pace and in a manner in which they can communicate best with their prospect.  Writing is no different.  One needs to to write in a manner that makes the audience comfortable, relaxed  and open to the thoughts being presented.  How is this for a not simple answer?  : ))

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10. 60

    Jan Fowlerposted 14 years ago

    I think that you should write in a way that best describes your product or service and serves your intended audience at the same time. If you are selling something that is intended to be artistic, more descriptive and flowing words would be in order. A financial product will use investment lingo. I really do not believe in "dumbing" something down, nor do I think one needs to "show off" by using more advanced vocabulary.

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11. 60

    jenniryanposted 14 years ago

    A lot of people write with the intent of driving traffic and use a strtucture thats only appealing to the search engine. To stand out from the crowd, I believe its important to add personality to your writing and be completely transparent. Writing will be more often read if also entertaining.

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12. 69

    Debby Bruckposted 14 years ago

    I think somewhere I read that the use of higher level vocabulary creates more interest and higher readership. With that in mind, each person has their personal writing style and uses language to convey their message with the words that form their ideas to the best of their ability.
    
    Others will say, "Simplicity is best."

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13. 60

    ajetayoposted 14 years ago

    All forms of communication by expression should be about passing a message the best way the user understands, It's not about you, as a matter of fact, it's more about the reader.
    
    We are not writing to pass English tests, we are writing to pass an information which should be written as simple as many would understand.

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14. 61

    Elizabeth Guinooposted 14 years ago

    a hardcore sell online stuff article basically just puts me off. I like creative articles even if we're talking business. Plain, simple, creative has more impact.

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15. 60

    ts.erlandssonposted 14 years ago

    I think you need to make it plane and simpel. If you want people from the whole world to reed it, you must remember that not everyone is english speaking countries.

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16. 60

    gideonbankoleposted 14 years ago

    The best writers are the real ones. Express yourself the best way that reflects your creativity, individuality and passion. Be real.

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17. 60

    SayedAthar Husainposted 14 years ago

    One should be natural in writing. And write to express and convey and use the words and sentences and the metaphors, whatever to make plain what has to be said.
    The man writes if he has something to say and he should be a free soul unihibited by the restrictions of the understanding of not competant in the understanding of the text. There is no sympathy with them, they have to come up to standards.

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18. 40

    H P Roychoudhuryposted 14 years ago

    If the article is written in Simple English, it would be understood by all. Then interaction is likely to start for future understanding. This is actually the process of communication.

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19. 61

    Santi Lioposted 14 years ago

    Article Magick,
    
    Anything worth doing, is worth doing right. Anything worth saying, is worth saying as best you can. Dress to impress at every opportunity. Mediocrity occurs in abundance, quality literature is at a premium.
    
    Cheers,
    Santi Lio

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20. 79

    alancaster149posted 13 years ago

    Keep it simple, straightforward, no frills - straight prose. I used the present participle for RAVENFEAST to keep the narrative moving. Use strong verbs for actions, none of the 'wishy-washy' business that's surfaced recently in the press or literature.

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