Differences between reading text in print and text in web
1.Length of the text
According to Nielson
"Reading from computer screen is about 25% slower as compared to reading it on paper. even users who do not know this human factor research usually say that they feel unpleasant when reading online text. As a result, people do not want to read a lot of text from computer screen: you should write 50% less text and not just 25% less since it is not only a matter of reading speed but also a matter of feeling good."
From the extract above, we must be aware of the audience expectation for shorter and more concise online text as compared to its printed medium.
2.Expectations of readers .
When readers read on the web, it is often more stressful to the eyes than reading printed medium. Therefore, online readers tend to be more impatient and scan through the text. The reading process is no as in depth as compared to its printed medium.
3.Hypertext
The web medium has also provided a revolutionalized way of presenting text, through the use of hypertext. As George Landow writes in his book Hypertext -The convergence of contemporary Critical theory and technology,
"Hypertext ,which is a fundamental intertextual system ,has the capacity to emphasize intertextuality that page- bound text in books cannot."
This allows the writer to include not just a quotation, but a link to an entire article ,which is not possible in a written text, constrained by its limited space.
The has also changed the tastes of the audience for with the hyperlink, the reader can choose the read the main text, and follow the individual links at his discretion. This gives the reader more control over what they read, making their reading experience more interactive., as compared to a printed medium, where there is only 1 singular path.
As Landow points out,
"Each reader can take individualized paths ,and may come to a different conclusions than if they have followed the author's original prepared argument. "
Similarities between reading text in print and text in web
Writing in the web-writer's concern