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Long or short?


Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Posted by John McHale

My colleagues -- John Keller and Courtney Howard -- and myself have been having discussions lately over how long a feature article should be. There seem to be different answers for those on the web and those in a printed journal.

Shorter definitely seems to be the answer on the web. Research has shown that most digital readers want stories that begin and end on the same page.

I'm the same way. I usually tune out if a digital article has multiple page links (2,3,4, etc.) at the bottom of the first page. Unless of course it is very interesting such as an article I read last year on WashingtonPost.com about the battle against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and the formation of the Joint IED Defeat Organization (JIEDDO).

That was a four-part story, with about four or five pages per part. I didn’t read it in one setting, but kept coming back to it. However, typically when I come across digital articles of that length on the web, I don’t read past the first page.

Incidentally, the Post Article by Rick Atkinson, was the best I've read on the evolution of the IED threat and how our government and military is dealing with it.

Maybe digital articles are re-emphasizing an old journalism mantra of "put everything in the first paragraph, because no one ever reads the second one."

But what about in print? Typical feature articles in our print magazine run about 3,000 words and include sidebars and multiple graphics.

The same is true for many magazines.

I find longer print features to be ideal for reading when I'm on a long flight.

What do you prefer? Would you like to see print features trimmed to match the length of most digital copy or not?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the subject.

Post a Comment

1 Comments:
Blogger BethSmith said...
I have a general feeling about many movies produced today that I think applies to this situation.

Most can reasonably cut about 30-45 minutes off of the final version, and still get the point across. However, if it's a good film, it doesn't matter if it runs two hours b/c you stay engaged.

The same holds true for articles. If you have something of importance to say, and are providing good information (not pseudo-sales drivel thinly veiled as editorial) then your audience will stay with you, if not, it becomes a drag.

(Although 3,000 words does seem a bit ambitious for any reader, what is that, like a book or something??)

There is def. a leaning towards brevity, but generate good ideas and the copy (whatever the length) will follow.
Thursday, July 31, 2008 2:08:00 PM EDT  


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Welcome to the lighter side of Military & Aerospace Electronics. This is where our staff recount tales of the strange, the weird, and the otherwise offbeat. We could put news here, but we have the rest of our Website for that. Enjoy our scribblings, and feel free to add your own opinions. You might also get to know us in the process. Proceed at your own risk.

John Keller for MAE
John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.


Courtney Howard for MAE Courtney E. Howard is senior editor of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine. She is responsible for writing news stories and feature articles for the print publication, as well as composing daily news for the magazine's Website and assembling the weekly electronic newsletter. Her features have appeared in such high-tech trade publications as Military & Aerospace Electronics, Computer Graphics World, Electronic Publishing, Small Times, and The Audio Amateur.


John McHale for MAE John McHale is executive editor of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, where he has been covering the defense Industry for more than dozen years. During that time he also led PennWell's launches of magazines and shows on homeland security and a defense publication and website in Europe. Mr. McHale has served as chairman of the Military & Aerospace Electronics Forum and its Advisory Council since 2004. He lives in Boston with his golf clubs.

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