By: Xiomara Saavedra
Finding a New Voice
Creating a blog post in the third person challenged the way I usually write about myself.
Writing without “I” required thinking carefully about how to describe my experience and identity in a professional media context. In turn, this process pushed me to consider not only what I wanted to convey but also how to capture the audience through creative, well-structured writing that is easy to digest.
This first introductory piece required rethinking voice and perspective while keeping a fast-paced online audience that skims content and expects clarity in mind.
Zinsser’s insight that writing is a transaction between the author and reader was useful, as it reminded me of the structural choices I have to make as a writer.
Structure and Feedback
The comparison assignment, where I analyzed two different fashion blogs and their formatting, also made me consider the different ways I could present my own posts and learn from areas where others’ work may have fallen short.
Feedback from classmates was equally valuable. Suggestions to section off details more clearly and include concrete examples strengthened my understanding of how readers interact with online writing.
Ultimately, I realized that blog writing is not just about presenting information, but about organizing it to suit the reading habits of an evolving online audience.
Building a Foundation
Cognitive load theory, as explained in the readings, emphasizes minimizing mental effort by breaking content into manageable chunks.
I applied this in my introductory post by structuring my writing to follow a timeline of my journalism journey.
I realize now that I could have had a more creative approach by explaining journalism as the seed of my interest planted in high school, nurtured by the soil of my personal identity that fuels my purpose in this field.
Reflecting on these assignments, the initial struggle with third-person writing became a learning opportunity.
By incorporating clear headings, concise language, and structured sections, I hope my future pieces will grow more elaborate while maintaining the structure and clarity that online audiences thrive on.
Just as soil nurtures a seed, the strategies I have learned this week create the foundation for my writing to flourish moving forward.
XIOMIDIA 