Good webwriting gets an "F?"

This study by the Neilsen Norman group tracks the eye movements of web content readers. The findings point to an "F" pattern of readership, as opposed to the print page's "Z" pattern of the eye flowing from left to right, then diagonally down the page..


"F" pattern of skimming web content

This is interesting, because it shows a difference in the perception of written information based upon the medium through which it is presented. One of the principal challenges with using the Web as a tool for communication is the difficulty of transmitting your specific message amid a near-infinite torrent of information. In solving this problem, readability is a vital component.

This might seem purely a design/layout problem, but in the world of the Web, the writer and designer are frequently the same person. Also, a writer can select word length and content organization structures that lend themselves to this type of layout.