We have heard it said many times that an article online needs to be “scannable.” Let’s discuss why we need to make our articles scannable and then we will discuss how to make an article scannable.
Why should an article be scannable?
*Less than 20% of text online gets read. Like calories, you need to make every word count.
*Online readers are searching for information. They do not want to get lost in a large abyss of black and white aimless text.
*Online reading is fast and task-oriented. You need to make your point quick to keep your readers engaged.
How do you make an article scannable?
*Short paragraphs.
*Use bullet points.
*Use bolded text to catch the reader’s eye.
*Give your article plenty of room to breathe with open spaces between lists and quotes.
*Straightforward headlines.
Example of a non-scannable post:
Choosing a math curriculum can be an overwhelming experience for any homeschooler. We want the best source for math education for our kids but with all the options it is difficult to know where to begin. Do you want your curriculum to be spiral or do you think your child would work better with a mastery approach. Examples of mastery curriculum would be Math U See, Math Mammoth, and Singapore. Examples of spiral approach would be Saxon, Teaching Textbook and Bob Jones. There are many considerations before choosing a math curriculum. You will want to consider learning style, homeschool style, and how comfortable you are teaching math. Perhaps you want a video or computer curriculum with plenty of tutorials and instruction for those uncomfortable teaching math concepts.
Now, let’s make this scannable:
Choosing a Math Curriculum
Choosing a math curriculum can be an overwhelming experience for any homeschooler. We want the best source for math education for our kids but with all the options it is difficult to know where to begin.
Two Types of Approaches:
*Spiral: The method of teaching by building one lesson upon another.
*Mastery: The method of teaching one concept until completely mastered before moving on.
Examples of Spiral Math Curricula:
*Saxon
*Teaching Textbooks
*Math U See
Examples of Mastery Math Curricula:
*Math U See
*Singapore
*Math Mammoth
Other Points to Consider:
*Student Learning Style
*Homeschool Method
*Parent’s ability to teach math concepts
There are plenty of solid options for today’s homeschool student in math. Decide the approach and learning style of your student to begin the search.
As you can see the scannable copy is easier to read and more likely to gain a reader’s attention.