By: Jane Sumerset
Submitted: 2010-02-26 21:31:47 | Word Count: 515
Not everyone who reads your writing will give it the same attention that you laboriously throw its way. In fact, most people I know are so pressed for time that they tend to skim through many of the stuff they read daily. They skim through news items, magazine articles, emails and whatever else you can imagine.
Just because they’re not as enthused about focusing intently on your writing doesn’t mean they’re not interested. For many people, that’s really all the additional sensory input they can take for the day (information overload is very real); for some, it’s all they can really afford to do with all the chatter of a busy day; for others, they just don’t like reading – but they’re a little interested in what you have to say.
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It is true that there are a lot of people who skims while reading. They usually do it especially if they are not interested with the topic, if they didn’t find the necessary information they’re looking for or if they have no time to read the whole text.
This challenges the writer more. This is something that every writer needs to focus their attention to. It can be a pressure in their part especially if they had tried their best and it seems that all their effort suddenly fails. This task is not more on writing down the words together and to make it a complete idea together with a series of complete thoughts. Somehow, a writer needs to be creative in his own views and thinks broadly on how to catch his reader’s attention. The key here is to write clearly so that your reader’s will eventually understand the topic more.
While some writers will tell you to fashion your pieces for the serious reader, I am less so inclined. In fact, if you write your material well enough (apart from using a good writing software, of course) that even the “skimmer” can benefit from it, imagine how much easier of a time you’ll be providing to your “serious” reader. Instead of creating a complex text that requires undivided attention, you turn up a lighter piece that people can easily digest – that’s the hallmark of good writing.
If you want to write this way, here are a few tricks of the trade:
•Use a descriptive headline. Some headlines only make sense once you get halfway through the piece – avoid that. Make sure yours clearly provides the reader with enough context to know, in some way, what to expect.
•Use items and lists as often as you can.
•Use descriptive headings and subheadings. If the reader can glean what the paragraphs contain directly from it, all the better.
•Use short paragraphs with, preferably, two or three sentences each.
•Lead off paragraphs with short sentences that summarize what’s about to follow.
•Offer the important facts up front. If they make sense, integrate the main ideas of your text in your introduction. Make sure they’re clearly featured in your conclusion as well.
Author Resource:-
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