Election tips for online editors
Poynter Online posted screen shots from more than 65 newspaper-based and more than 30 broadcast-based sites about two hours after the polls closed.
Here are some of the best ideas Poynter points out:
• Vote results as a graphic element. Several sites -- The Washington Times, the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago's WMAQ -- put the candidates' totals out front. One suggestion: make sure there's a timestamp so readers can see how timely the data are.
• Watch those headlines. There are some headlines that clearly lag behind the unfolding nature of the story. With a poor headline, a site can look out of date, something that affects credibility.
• Visual change of pace, such as The Boston Globe's boston.com box labeled "Update" under their main photo. The text, a summary of the very latest, kept changing as fast as the story. For the reader checking back during the night, it looked very fresh.
• Integrated visual elements. While a few print sites, such as The Star-Ledger's nj.com, used a treatment that combined a photo and headline, Dallas television station WFAA took a page from MSNBC's playbook to create a striking visual effect.
• Moving the story forward. Newsday had an eye-catching headline: "Who Wins Next Tuesday?"
• Get the readers involved. Boston's NPR station, WBUR, offered an online chat with journalists, campaign workers, and listeners. The Washington Post put up one of its forums so readers could discuss the results.
Jan 28, 2004 | E-MAIL | SAVE | PRINT | PERMALINK | DISCUSS(0)
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