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Online Writing Examples
LINK 1: www.time.com
Get a copy of the current Time magazine and also connect to the www.time.com Web site. Chapter 3 (p. 60) describes the typical Internet user as a single man between the ages of 31 and 45 who makes more than $50,000 a year and spends about two to three hours online a day.
b. Click on the magazine cover on the Web version. How is the Web version's table of contents geared more toward the online target audience?
c. Notice other links on the Time Web site, such as Giftfinder, subscription information and afternoon update, a service that downloads a daily news digest to your printer. Why are these services relevant to the target online audience described above?
d. Why would the print version of Time be convenient for other demographic groups, such as people over 65 years of age, parents who care for their children at home, or college students?
LINK 2: www.mayo.com
Examine how common household products, such as mayonnaise, which are used by many demographic groups, are portrayed on the Internet. The Web site www.mayo.com features links such as "The Amazing Party Planner - Click Here to Plan a Party," and another link called "Wacky Sandwiches." Describe the audience to which this Web site is geared.
You may also find that the names of other common household products will bring you to other Web sites. As an experiment, substitute the names of other household products for mayonnaise in the Web site address area in your browser and see what you find. You might also try out common commercial brand names. One soup company Web site features articles on "Solving the Daily Dinner Dilemma" with fast and easy recipes. Each recipe comes with links that explain cooking terms, such as "Instructions on How to Simmer." Most recipes in newspapers or magazines do not include such detailed instructions. To what audience is the online recipe site appealing? Describe the possible audiences for the Web sites you find.
a. Compare the print and online versions of Time with an eye toward distinguishing their possible separate audiences. Notice the banner ads at the top of the Time Web site. Would the Internet user described above be interested in such products?
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