READING RESPONSE: LYNCH & HORTON’S CHAPTER 9, “EDITORIAL STYLE”

Chapter 4, “Interface Design”

1) How is navigating a web site similar to finding your way around a real, physical, geographical place like a city? How is it different?

It is similar as the process of orientation, route finding, closure and mental mapping are similar. However, instead of a journey where you have to travel, on the web you just teleport.

2) Consequently, what are some best practices for aiding users in navigating through your web site? What are some no-no’s?

Key practices include being organized by having a menu and trying to make a page distinct from each other to avoid confusion. The website should also take preconceived notions about design into place to create a more pleasurable user experience instead of the user trying to find something in a new position. For example, menu and links are on the top right and etc. I would avoid having pages that are similar to each other and numerous backlinks.

Chapter 7, “Page Design”

3) How does gestalt theory apply to visual rhetoric?

This applies as humans are designed to make a problem of things and attempt to solve these problems. As a result, a puzzle will really get someone interested as their first notion will be to solve the puzzle.

4) What are some best design practices that Lynch and Horton recommend for creating effective, trustworthy, user-friendly web pages?

The page should be visually appealing by utilizing CRAP principles. As a result, the page will be visually appealing and may create a better user experience.

Chapter 9, “Editorial Style”

5) What’s one reason many people find reading on a computer uncomfortable?

This because some pages might be in very small font and inadequate brightness. As a result it becomes a strain and many people print pages to read.

6) What is the inverted pyramid that journalists abide by?

Humans are shown to have short attention spans and will remember the first sentences and scan from there. As a result, journalists insert the most important information in the beginning so the reader can get a general idea and then scan the rest of the article.

7) In this chapter, Lynch and Horton discuss ways that writers can accommodate the habits of online readers. What are these habits and how do Lynch and Horton practice what they preach?

This is by having the main points in the introduction. In other words, they should use the inverted pyramid as a rubric. We can see this done in their website and article.

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