Not every post needs to reinvent the copywriting wheel, after all. From the bestselling author of a history of the world in 6 glasses, the story of social media from ancient rome to the arab spring and beyond. Writing on the wall by tom standage overdrive rakuten. Fortunately, writing great social media content doesnt have to be difficult. Author tom standages recent book, writing on the wall. One thesis of this book, that social mediainformation dissemination through social networkshave been with us for at least a couple of. A fresh, provocative exploration of social media over two millennia, writing on the wall reminds us how modern behavior echoes that of prior centuries the catholic church, for example, faced similar dilemmas in deciding whether or how to respond to martin luthers attacks in the early sixteenth century to those that large institutions. Tutorials to help you when writing your social media will. Tom standage is a journalist and author based in london. Our writing for social media should generally follow the style points outlined in the voice and tone and grammar and mechanics sections. The written word powers social media although images and video help, too. Stellar social media copy should be a weapon in every business arsenal. The second is characteristic of the internet in general and social media in particular. A new essay trend has started in both print and online publications.
Writing on the wall provides context for future communication and collaboration through social networks by looking at their historical role and impact. Papyrus rolls and twitter have much in common, as each was the. Standage chronicles the increasingly sophisticated ways people shared information with each other, spontaneously and organically. In todays world of digital connection, social media has the power to boost writers success. Social media the first 2,000 years, finds the workings of social media in roman times, when an author writing a book would deliver a. Social media and writing style explorations of style. If youre looking to become the next best thing in your industry, all it takes are a few tweets, some status updates, and help from our writers to really start improving. Social media and writing style posted on april 2, 2014 10 comments in the early days of this blog, an old friend and fellow blogger asked me whether. Oct 10, 20 it broadens our modern and narrow view of social media to include all forms of social communication. Nov 03, 20 so argues tom standage in writing on the wall, a provocative book that asks us to look at media less in terms of technology digital or analog. A fresh, provocative exploration of social media over two millennia, writing on the wall reminds us how modern behavior echoes that of prior centuriesthe catholic church, for example, faced similar dilemmas in deciding whether or how to respond to martin luthers attacks in the early sixteenth century to those that large institutions confront. Standage makes a strong case for social media as the driving force for change, whether for good or bad criticalmargin. From the papyrus letters that cicero and other roman statesmen used to exchange news, to the handprinted tracts of the reformation and the pamphlets that spread propaganda during the american and french. Why writing well on social media makes a difference.
Social media users have to learn the proper time and place for different types of writing. But theres nothing revolutionary about this, standage says. Writing on the wall by tom standage critical margins. Social media the first 2,000 years shows just what franzen and other naysayers miss. While twitter is forgiving of textspeak, facebooks longer text limits encourage proper grammar.
The big surprise of this excellent book is that the challenges around modern social media that we assume are new have largely been experienced before by different cultures at different times. It broadens our modern and narrow view of social media to include all forms of social communication. But for the most part, we keep our social media copy short. The more people who read your work, the better exposure you gain. While shorthand does slip into facebook, emails, blogs, and even some written papers, most writers are still aware of how to write properly, and do so often. Tom standage chronicles social media over two millennia, from papyrus letters that cicero used to exchange news across the empire to today, reminding us how modern behavior echoes that of prior centuries and. Social media the first 2, 000 years kindle edition by standage, tom. Still, taking the time to get your writing right is worth it.
How to write for social media to create the best posts. His idea is that social media, sold as the newest game in town, are something cicero would have recognised. The highlight of the weekend came with robin crumbys first goal for the ochc in his 17th season with the club. Writing for social media mailchimp content style guide.
You write a quick, 140 character tweet and then you respond to people who reply at you. Writing on the wall by tom standage is a fresh, provocative exploration of social media over two millennia. Writing on the wall reveals how an elaborate network of letter exchanges forewarned of power shifts in ciceros rome, while the torrent of tracts circulating in sixteenthcentury germany triggered the reformation. Writing on the wall, by tom standage the new york times. The journal of social media in society article tools. Its a quick, easytouse social media mecca for writers. Social media writers social media content writing company. Download our free social media will template by clicking here prepare. However, not all social media managers consider themselves writers. The delicate shape and pretty pastel colors make it perfect for writing recipe cards, checks to my psychologist im seeing him for a case of the hysterics, and tracking my monthly cycle. Social media effects on student writing can be positive. Some social media platforms have a character limit. Social media the first 2,000 years by tom standage, 20 bloomsbury, 288 pages. Has social media changed the way we speak and write english.
Throughout history, information has been spread through social networks, with farreaching social and political effects. Writing on the wall draws on history to cast provocative new light on todays social media and encourages debate and discussion about how well communicate in the future. A fresh, provocative exploration of social media over two millennia, writing on the wall reminds us how modern behavior echoes that of prior centuries the catholic church, for example, faced similar dilemmas in deciding whether or how to respond to martin luthers attacks in the early sixteenth century to those that large institutions confront. Social media the first 2,000 years, finds the workings of social media in roman times, when an author writing a book would deliver a copy to the home of the most.
Social media effects on student writing can be positive with the introduction of social media into our lives, one wonders what the social media effects on student writing will be. Outsource your social media writing increased activity on your wall and your timeline will get people talking, and sooner than later youll see your follower count explode. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading writing on the wall. The author describes how messengers constantly delivered messages back and forth among the elite to keep each other abreast of the social and political spheres they operated within. May 10, 2017 social media success requires strong writing skills. Parents, teachers and students are learning a new kind of communication through social media. Apr 02, 2014 social media and writing style posted on april 2, 2014 10 comments in the early days of this blog, an old friend and fellow blogger asked me whether i thought social media had implications for the way we write. Humans are social creatures who will always use the technology of the day to exchange information and ideas, argues tom standage in this. So argues tom standage in writing on the wall, a provocative book that asks us to look at media less in terms of technology digital or analog. The effects of social media on how we speak and write. Below are a range of tutorials to help you think about and prepare your social media will. Oct 15, 20 writing on the wall draws on history to cast provocative new light on todays social media and encourages debate and discussion about how well communicate in the future. Social media success requires strong writing skills.
Guiding this power effectively through deft writing skills and audience reconnaissance leads to success in the social media realm. The first 2000 years of social media takes a much wider view of the history of social technology and social media. It also illustrates how those in power and the socalled intellectual elite have sought through time to control, regulate and censor free expression. Cdc s guide to writing for social media cdcs guide to writing for social media pdf icon 1. Im tom standage, and this is the page for writing on the wall, my book on the history of social media from the romans to the internet. You could argue that this is a lazy form of writing, but social media isnt a process of creative writing at least not in the traditional sense, its a fast and convenient way of interacting with an audience. Starting with biological and evolutionary need to be connected, early communication with the social grooming habits of prehuman species and primates. Writing on the wall documents aspects of social interaction through the ages starting its first analysis with roman civilization. Dec 06, 20 tom standage is the economists digital editor. Social media the first 2,000 years public library, historywhisperer tom standage takes us to task with debunking our presentism bias by tracing the surprising, scintillating history of what we know as social media today.
Americans hate social media but cant give it up, wsjnbc. And it turns out we owe it all to the famed roman statesman cicero. Peer to social media plays a key role in both my personal and professional communications. Even though a definitive definition is given below, i agree with the following assessment in a post on social media today when it comes to this form of writing. Social media the first 2,000 years tom standage proves me wrong. Writing on the wall is a comprehensive look at social media all throughout history. A fresh, provocative exploration of social media over two millennia, writing on the wall reminds us how modern behavior echoes that of prior centuriesthe catholic church, for example, faced similar dilemmas in deciding whether or how to respond to martin luthers attacks in the early sixteenth century to those that large institutions. Guide to writing for social media social media cdc. Americans have a paradoxical attachment to social media, a new wall street journalnbc news poll finds, saying they regard services like facebook to be. As a writing specialty, social media writing is just coming into its own. Why mass media were an aberration in human history. Writing on the wall hardcover social media the first 2,000 years. What is social media writing and how does it differ from seo.