What is the Writing Process for Web Text?

All the words I use in my stories can be found in the dictionary—it’s just a matter of arranging them into the right sentences. – Somerset Maugham

What is the Writing Process for Web Text?

        With the invention of the internet, people have changed the way they are writing.  Today, there are more self-published authors than ever before. Through the use of the internet, writing has become, both a private and public, way for one to convey thoughts, beliefs, and ideas about a particular topic.  Furthermore, a person can hyperlink to many other pieces of writing on the web about various topics of interest.  Writing has moved from the private communication between the author and one recipient into a world of collaboration with countless others.  Writing is thinking and it is through the writing process that thoughts and ideas are put into words. Thus, allowing one to consider, analyze, and process those thoughts and ideas into something meaningful. 

Since much of what is written digitally is published publically into internet blogs, posts, and emails, how do we consider the writing process for the digital writing web text?  In his book, author Troy Hicks conveys that “creating web based text is very similar to creating print-based text” (Hicks, 2013, p. 36).  In this sense, the same process would follow for developing a written text: prewriting and drafting, revising and editing, and publishing and assessing (Hicks, 2013, p. 38).   Digital technologies such as blogs, wikis, and social platforms are written words meant to communicate someone’s ideas and thoughts providing opportunities for personal expression.          In contrast to the more personal writing of web text, is the formal or academic writing.  Although the processes are the same, formal writing is considered essential in order to organize and develop a person’s thoughts allowing for critical thinking, analyzing, and synthesizing in an academic setting.  In the traditional school setting, teachers and students perceive writing as the composition about a topic created for formal writing assignments (Vue et al., 2016, p. 2).  Then texts, posts, and online media content are not considered as writing.  This idea is changing as teachers and instructors begin to recognize the value of digital technologies which can prepare students for college and careers in a global economy. Teachers and instructors are beginning to facilitate meaningful writing experiences that integrate various digital technologies and platforms.

Another difference between formal or academic writing and web text, is that a writer has to consider the implications of how oneself is presented and perceived online (one’s online persona). In a formal or creative writing project, an author’s purpose and audience is known in advance allowing for writing which is specific to the target audience. For example, an informational piece about the rock cycle used as a research report and intended for only the teacher’s viewing and grading. For a web text assignment, the author may know or have a purpose for the writing; however, the audience may be unknown as the writing piece can be accessed by any one, any time, and anywhere.  Furthermore, in order to write effectively and concisely online, one must have the ability to judge the quality of online content and information.  Being able to judge and analyze the validity and reliability of information found in online content is an essential life skill that leads to more informed citizens and consumers.  

The most effective approach to writing web text is the use of the traditional writing process of brainstorming, prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing.  There are some subtle differences in traditional paper and pen writing and the writing of web text such as audience, accessibility, and instantaneous publishing.  Yet, the process still works.  The writing process allows authors to produce well planned, thorough papers that get to the point of the topic logically. 

Works Cited

Hicks, T. (2013). Crafting web texts. In T. Antao (Ed.), Crafting digital writing: Composing  texts across media and genres. (pp. 36-60). Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

Vue, G., Hall, T., Robinson, K., Ganley, P., Elizalde, E., & Graham, S. (2016). Informing

understanding of young student’s writing challenges and opportunities: Insights from the development of a digital writing tool that supports students with learning disabilities. Learning Disabilities Quarterly, 1-12. doi: 10.1177/0731948715604571

 

 Somerset Maugham Quote Retrieved from http://www.writersdigest.com/writing-quotes

The Writing Process Animation by Phleught Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71Y2uIyJM4g

Digital Writing Image Retrieved from http://digitalwritingw350.wikidot.com/