- For question #2, what did you do differently from the original post? Please outline, explain and justify what you changed & why. Essentially, what did you learn from this new topic and what did you change and why. (8 Marks)
- Order of Importance
What I changed
I changed the structure of the post based on the level of importance. As previously mentioned, I initially focused more on explaining what Pilates is right at the start, instead of introducing my business and then going into details about offerings and benefits. By clearly communicating how my business is unique from other studios and reinforcing my business values, my audience can immediately understand why they should care and how it benefits them. Furthermore, I connected Pilates directly to my business offerings, rather than leaving my audience confused or guessing about the relation or their next steps.
Why I changed it
Previously, my readers might have become interested in starting Pilates, but not specifically at True Pilates Windsor, because I did not immediately motivate them or communicate True Pilates Windsor’s values. My business offerings were previously explained only at the bottom of the post. This lacks logical order and does not cater to readers on the web who tend to skim information! They need immediate clarity and motivation. With this, my audience instantly understands what truly sets True Pilates Windsor apart and ensures they stay engaged and interested throughout the post. This change directly benefits them by clearly motivating them to act by booking their first class for free.
- Clear & Concise Language
What I changed
Previously, a lot of the information and description were overly lengthy and overwhelming to readers new to the subject. I simplified the headings, the description, and the information by removing unnecessary jargon and details that waste my reader’s time. Readers on the web need clarity and my previous post discouraged them from continuing to read or take any action. For this post, I simplified a lot of the content and made sure it was straightforward and concise to convey the information easily without frustration. Regardless of their knowledge on the subject matter, they can easily and clearly follow the content for my new post. Instead of saying:
- Your core I your body’s powerhouse
I changed it to:
- Your core is an important foundation to your body.
Why I changed it
By using everyday language instead of complicated information, I immediately communicate clear benefits and values from each section without making my readers tip toe by trying to put things together. I also simplified explanations into shorter sentences so that my audience quickly understands key information and details. Helping them stay engaged, motivated, and confident in fulfilling their purpose of starting Pilates or wellness journey at True Pilates Windsor.
- Structure
What I changed
My previous post was harder to scan as there was so much information. I changed the overal layout by changing the headlines, shortening the paragraphs, including more bullet lists, and ensuring that it was structured to the “f-pattern” for enhanced readability. In addition, I placed important information and critical components on the top and left-hand side, following the “f-pattern” where readers on the web naturally look first. I broke down my text so users can skim and find what they need at the same time.
Why I changed it
The reason why I changed this for my new post is because my original post was difficult for readers to quickly understand important elements when skimming. By changing it, I respect my audience’s time and prioritize clear readability. The components I changed incorporate the understanding of how readers on the web naturally scan pages in specific ways. To meet their needs, my readers now instantly find what is unique about my business offerings and how it directly benefits them. Moreover, it motivates them to take clear and actionable steps. Altogether, the overall structure change and formatting ensures that my audience stays engaged, confident, and motivated throughout the post.
What I learnt
I learnt that plain language is not about dumbing things down or removing most words. It’s about putting myself in the reader’s shoes and thinking about what they need to find, what they need to understand, and how they are motivated to act. It’s about providing content and information that is engaging, interesting, and valuable to them. At first, I believed that adding a lot of information would make my content have more personality and engage with readers more. However, I was proven wrong. It’s more about clarity and communication with purpose to the audience. Furthermore, it’s about respecting the time my audience has. They are busy and don’t have time to read every detail.
What I learnt from this is that organizing and prioritizing the most critical information clearly is what helps me meet my audience’s needs. I learnt what it means to structure content to improve readability. Instead of overwhelming my readers with extensive information, like I did previously, I learnt that clear, purpose-driven, and direct communication is what helps engage readers more effectively. I have a better understanding of how to simplify writing without losing key details. Making it easier for readers to take action.
I learnt that plain language writing is everywhere. For instance, when trying to find a parking spot in downtown London a few days ago, the parking sign was extremely confusing and did not emphasize the time slots for paid parking. If I can’t find the information I need, understand it, and act on it, I feel frustrated. Similarly, plain language writing is about focusing on clarity, understanding, and usefulness to ensure that readers and audience can follow the three guiding principles in plain language writing. Find what they need, easily understand it, and feel confident acting.