Post on 12-Jul-2015
Writing for multiple platforms
ALEXIS AKWAGYIRAM
Writing basics
Digital storytelling
Using words
www.alexisakwagyiram.com
@alexisak
Never use a metaphor, simile or other figure of
speech which you are used to seeing in print.
Never use a long word where a short one will do.
If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
www.alexisakwagyiram.com
@alexisak
Never use the passive where you can use the
active.
Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word or
jargon if you can think of an everyday English
equivalent.
Break any of these rules sooner than say anything
outright barbarous.
www.alexisakwagyiram.com
@alexisak
Has traffic to the New York Times homepage risen
or fallen over the last two years? What was the rise
or fall as a percentage?
What percentage of visitors access the BBC News
website via mobile phones and tablets?
What percentage of Britons will own a smartphone
by the end of 2014?
www.alexisakwagyiram.com
@alexisak
What proportion of active Twitter users access the
platform via mobile devices?
What is the iPhone 5S screen size?
What are the screen sizes of the iPhone 6 and
iPhone 6 Plus?
www.alexisakwagyiram.com
@alexisak
Part of multimedia package
Reading from a screen on various devices
Social media
Digital dementia
Skimmers and diggers
www.alexisakwagyiram.com
@alexisak
For skimmers
Short sentences
Big pictures
Lists
Crossheads – few words to break up large chunks of text
Info boxes
www.alexisakwagyiram.com
@alexisak
For diggers:
Links
Clear social media marketing
Search engine optimisation
www.alexisakwagyiram.com
@alexisak
Buzzfeed
Vice
Daily Mail
Nike Foundation
www.alexisakwagyiram.com
@alexisak
What is UK aid
SPENT ON?
Animated Infographics
www.alexisakwagyiram.com
@alexisak
• At a time of government spending cuts the overseas aid budget
is increasing towards 0.7% of GDP.
• The UK withheld £21m in aid to Rwanda because of its alleged
role in the DRC conflict.
• Malaria kills an African child every 45 seconds, according to
Dfid.
Jamie’s Jollof rice - regular photo, 400 retweets
Jamie’s Jollof rice - text on picture, 1,000+ retweets
www.alexisakwagyiram.com
@alexisak
Tool: Pixlr
www.alexisakwagyiram.com
@alexisak
Why are oil prices falling? - in 60 seconds
Ebola crisis: Tips to avoid the virus – in 15 seconds
www.alexisakwagyiram.com
@alexisak
Teju Cole’s short story in 30 tweets
Audioslideshow - Amy Winehouse
Tool: Soundslides
www.alexisakwagyiram.com
@alexisak