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Avoid cognitive overload: Most OK with info load, Information multitasking, Cut through competition, Complexity reducer, Write it like Winston ...
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November 2017  //  Avoid cognitive overload
 
Screen reading hurts your brain

Screen reading hurts your brain

Problem-solving + divided attention = cognitive overload

It’s been proven in the lab: Online multitasking temporarily lowers your IQ more than smoking weed. (And, from what I’ve read, is a much less interesting way to get stupid.) That’s according to a 2005 study conducted by the Institute of Psychiatry at the University of London and funded by Hewlett-Packard.

Is screen reading making you feel stupid? If so, join the crowd. Because while the web is best for helping people find information, it’s not so good at helping them understand it. (Comprehension, on the other hand, is print’s superpower.)

 
Cut the fluff online

Cut the fluff online

Hype reduces reading, sharing — even sales
 
Try imperative voice

Try imperative voice

Write to —and about — your readers
 
Avoid fake benefits

Avoid fake benefits

‘Pat yourself on the back for choosing us’
 
What’s the product’s product?

What’s the product’s product?

It’s not dollars, found J.P. Morgan
 

New and Noteworthy

Why minimize modifiers

Why minimize modifiers

They make journalists cry ‘hype,’ reveal shoddy research

Why cut adjectives and adverbs from your copy? Because modifiers weaken meaning, become clichés, add bulk without meaning, strike journalists as hype and more.
‘Killing me softly’

‘Killing me softly’

Use modifiers to change, not intensify, meaning

Beware adverbs, counsels The Poynter Institute’s Roy Peter Clark. Too often, they dilute the meaning of the verb or repeat it: “The building was completely destroyed.”
Does not compute

Does not compute

16% of adults worldwide are technologically illiterate

Just 8% of adults around the world can manage conflicting requests to reserve a meeting room using a reservation system, then email responses to the requesters.
Better you than me

Better you than me

Stop writing about yourself

In a recent “Dilbert” cartoon, Wally begs his pointy-haired boss to keep the team constantly updated on all his activities via Twitter. “We find you fascinating,” Wally says.
It's all about you

It’s all about you

Write about the reader, not about us and our stuff

It’s the most retweeted word in the English language, according to viral marketing scientist Dan Zarrella: You. And no wonder. Because the reader is her own favorite topic.
Catch Your Readers - Ann Wylie’s persuasive-writing workshop on Nov. 16-17 in Kansas City

Catch Your Readers in Kansas City

Move readers to act in this persuasive writing workshop

To move people to act, give them what they really want. Rev Up Readership members save $100 with code RURKC100
Writing For the Web and Mobile - Ann Wylie’s digital-writing workshop on Dec. 11-12 in Miami

Writing For the Web and Mobile in Miami

Learn to reach readers online in this digital writing class

Learn to get the word out on the small screen. Rev Up Readership members save $100 with code RURMI100

Updates

Adjectives can sell: ‘Applewood-smoked bacon’ just tastes better

Quotes on modifiers: What writers and others say

Resources on modifiers: Websites, books and tools

Quotes on relevant tweets: What writers and others say


 
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