Writing for the web—Part II

BY jyothi kiran| IN Digital Media | 03/02/2003

The second part of an online tutorial on writing for the Web.

Jyothi Kiran

The best way to learn about writing for the web is to see the difference between traditional writing Vs web writing with the help of examples.

Here is an example of a traditional write up.

See example 1 below.

The story is about globalization of yoga.

1. A cursory glance at the text below and unless you are a true Yoga addict, you will not want to read any further. It is not because of the content but it is because of the way it is presented.

2. The story doesn`t tell the reader what it contains and he/she will not be interested in reading the entire text, to find out what it is all about.

3. The story is a dead-end; it does not lead me any further, in case I am interested to know more about the subject.

How do we make the story more attractive to the reader? 

Take a look at Example 2, also below.

You will notice in the second example that:
 

1. There is a summary, which will tell you in one glance what the story is all about.
2. The story has been broken up (chunked) into specific bits of information. This helps the reader scan the page for specific information.
3. In addition, you will find that there are many links with in the story that the user may like to click if he wants to explore further.

These are some of the ways to attract the hurried web reader who is looking for specific information.

For another example of a well-written web story see ABCnews story on Dolls: America`s newest threat. http://more.abcnews.go.com/sections/us/dailynews/dollcontroversy990625.html 

For more tips on writing for online news visit cyber journalist Jonathan Dube at http://www.cyberjournalist.net/features/writingtips.html   

Example 1.

Globalization and Yoga

By:  Jaimal Yogis 
 
Globalization has made yoga accessible to health fanatics and spiritual seekers the world over.  In just about any corner of the globe today the travelling yogi can find somewhere to learn asana, pranayama and on a rare occasion yoga philosophy.  But has popularization led to a dilution of this ancient art?    Traditionalists in the US complain that Indian culture has become a commodity and accuse some yoga centers of teaching only one aspect of a vast tradition.  "Yoga means union," says Vineet Gindal, an NRI from San Francisco.  "It`s not just a set of postures to relieve stress.  People in the states treat yoga just like its another health fad, like aerobics or jazzercise."

A recent article in Yoga Journal stated that in America only 15% of people practicing yoga practice for the purpose of moksa (liberation), while the remaining 85% said they do it to stay fit and healthy.  But just as globalization brought yoga to the west, it has brought a new version of yoga back to India. 

Dr. Nagendra, the Guru at Vivekananda Kendra, quotes Newton and Einstein to explain abstract points of the Bhagavad-Gita.  A NASA scientist who established a yoga university on the outskirts of Bangalore, Dr. Nagendra has spent the last 25 years with goal of merging the best of the east with the best of the west-yoga and science.  The program, staffed mostly by MD`s is a haven for those seeking good health and respite from Bangalore`s fast paced IT sector. 

 
"We`ve taken the unnecessary aspects out of yoga," says Dr. Nagarathna, the co-founder of the institute.  "Science has forced us to think more logically, to ask deeper questions and it`s also stopped the infighting between different sects."   Students at Vivekananda Kendra say their research on the health benefits of yoga is bringing yoga to the masses, especially the youth.    "The younger generation didn`t go for yoga before," Mukesh Temalir, a student at Vivekananda Kendra.  "Ten years ago, yoga wasn`t nearly as popular.  Programs like this one have made it accessible to a generation skeptical of tradition."

Another trend in Bangalore is yoga studios that offer classes outside a yoga framework.  Rashtrotthana Shareerika Shikshana Kendra offers dance, martial arts, and weight training along with a four-month asana course that treats specific health ailments.   The merging of yoga with sports highly resembles the format yoga has taken in many parts of the US, where fitness trainers have incorporated yoga into their athletic training programs.  Even the Los Angeles Lakers coach recently started the entire team on a mandatory yoga routine.

  
Some of the more orthodox say that this Americanization of yoga is diluting the essence.  "People in the US are in Manipura chakra, they are only concerned with mine, mine, mine," says a swami at Siddha Samadhi Yoga in Jaynagar, who didn`t want to give his name.  "The same thing is happening in India.  The emphasis is on my health rather than the health of the community.  But if you put yourself selflessly into the community than the community will be healthy.  This is yoga."

 Example 2

Globalization and Yoga

By:  Jaimal Yogis

Summary: In just about any corner of the globe today the travelling yogi can find somewhere to learn asana, pranayama and on a rare occasion yoga philosophy.  But has popularization led to a dilution of this ancient art?

Yoga in the West: Globalization has made yoga(link) accessible to health fanatics and spiritual seekers the world over.  In just about any corner of the globe today the travelling yogi can find somewhere to learn asana, pranayama and on a rare occasion yoga philosophy.  But has popularization led to a dilution of this ancient art? Traditionalists in the USA complain that Indian culture has become a commodity and accuse some yoga centres(link) of teaching only one aspect of a vast tradition.

"Yoga means union," says Vineet Gindal, an NRI from San Francisco.  "It’s not just a set of postures to relieve stress.  People in the USA treat yoga just like its another health fad, like aerobics or jazzercise." A recent article in Yoga Journal stated that in America only 15% of people practicing yoga practice for the purpose of moksa (liberation), while the remaining 85% said they do it to stay fit and healthy.

The new Indian yoga: Just as globalization brought yoga to the west, it has brought a new version of yoga back to India.  Dr. Nagendra, the guru at Vivekananda Kendra (link), frequently quotes Newton and Einstein to explain abstract points of the Bhagavad-Gita.  A NASA(link) scientist who established a yoga university on the outskirts of Bangalore, Dr. Nagendra has spent the last 25 years with a goal of merging the best of the east with the best of the west—yoga and science.  The program, staffed mostly by MDs is a haven for those seeking good health and respite from Bangalore’s fast paced IT sector. "We’ve taken the unnecessary aspects out of yoga," says Dr. Nagarathna, the co-founder of the institute, referring to the more traditional aspects like pujas.  "Science has forced us to think more logically, to ask deeper questions and it has  also stopped the infighting between different sects."

Students at Vivekananda Kendra say their research on the health benefits of yoga is bringing yoga to the masses, especially the youth. "The younger generation didn’t go for yoga before," Mukesh Temalir, a student at Vivekananda Kendra.  "Ten years ago, yoga wasn’t nearly as popular.  Programs like this one have made it accessible to a generation skeptical of tradition."

Diversifying Trends: Another trend in Bangalore is yoga studios that offer classes outside a yoga framework.  Rashtrotthana Shareerika Shikshana Kendra offers dance, martial arts, and weight training along with a four-month asana course that treats specific health ailments. The merging of yoga with sports highly resembles the format yoga has taken in many parts of the US, where fitness trainers have incorporated yoga into their athletic training programs.  Even the Los Angeles Lakers coach recently started the entire team on a mandatory yoga routine. 

"People in the US are in a manipura chakra, they are only concerned with mine, mine, mine," says a swami at Siddha Samadhi Yoga (link) in Jaynagar, who didn’t want to give his name.  "The same thing is happening in India.  The emphasis is on my health rather than the health of the community.  But if you put yourself selflessly into the community than the community will be healthy.  This is yoga."

Jyothi Kiran teaches online journalism at the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media. Contact: JyothiK@iijnm.org