{"id":9709,"date":"2015-07-09T13:39:56","date_gmt":"2015-07-09T20:39:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev-crowdcontent.com\/?p=9709"},"modified":"2024-04-04T05:12:23","modified_gmt":"2024-04-04T12:12:23","slug":"make-it-scannable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.crowdcontent.com\/resources\/writer\/university\/blogging\/make-it-scannable\/","title":{"rendered":"Make It Scannable"},"content":{"rendered":"

Scannable Content: 7 Crucial Elements You Need<\/h2>\n

Since most readers are actually scanners, how can you make sure that your writing is reaching them? Here are some techniques for improving your scannability.<\/p>\n

1. Emphasize with Formatting<\/h3>\n

Use, bolding, italics, underlining, and changing your font size to emphasize your key points. Your readers\u2019 eyes are naturally attracted to formatting changes, so they\u2019re more likely to read those words. Make sure that you don\u2019t overuse formatting changes. A text in which everything is bolded is equivalent to a text in which nothing is bolded.<\/p>\n

2. Break Your Text into Lists<\/h3>\n

Lists are a handy format for scannability since they break text into small, neat chunks. You can use numbered lists (which make great titles) or bulleted lists. Combining lists with bolded text helps highlight key points while also providing more information.<\/p>\n

Example: 3 Reasons to Write Online<\/em><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Flexibility<\/strong> – As long as you\u2019ve got a computer, you can work anytime, anywhere.<\/li>\n
  2. Learn New Skills<\/strong> – As you gain experience with many different styles, your writing will improve. You can also broaden your knowledge of the topics that you write about.<\/li>\n
  3. Be on the Leading Edge<\/strong> – With so many companies using content marketing, online writing is an essential part of today\u2019s business world. Being part of this evolving field is always exciting.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    3. Tell a Story with Subheaders<\/h3>\n

    Subheaders are the signposts of your writing, telling your readers what\u2019s next. In this lesson, the title, or header, is \u201cMake it Scannable\u201d, and each of the points about scannability is placed under a subheader. By reading the subheaders, you know what each paragraph is about. Copyblogger recommends writing your title and subheaders first. This technique gives you a clear outline of what your key ideas are and makes you focus on what your reader is most likely to read.<\/p>\n

    4. Relax with Whitespace<\/h3>\n

    Just because you have lots of words on a page doesn\u2019t mean that they\u2019ll be read. In fact, your readers are more likely to feel overwhelmed by reams of text. Adding whitespace — areas with no text — makes your writing feel less dense and easier to read.<\/p>\n

    5. Entice with Pictures<\/h3>\n

    It\u2019s easier to look at a picture than it is to read a blog post. Once you\u2019ve got people looking at a picture in your post, they\u2019ll likely read the caption too. Include a picture with a deep caption — a caption that\u2019s two or three sentences long and is likely to grab readers\u2019 attention. Also place pictures by your main ideas, so that readers who look at the pictures notice your text as well.<\/p>\n

    6. Attract Attention with Block Quotes<\/h3>\n

    Adding a border or changing the background colour for your quotes sets them off from the rest of your text. As I mentioned in the formatting section above, readers notice formatting changes, so they\u2019re more likely to read a blocked-off quote.<\/p>\n

    7. Share with Hyperlinks<\/h3>\n

    Include hyperlinks to other reputable websites to support your claims and to give readers another place to read more about the topic. Also include relevant links to other pages on your website so that your reader can learn more about you (or your client).<\/p>\n

    Learn More:<\/p>\n