Listicle style in writing

The term “new media” is used to describe the kind of platforms that allow everyone to publish their own writing on the Internet. “New media” is free and it is easy to use and everyone can use it to share their message to the world. Social media, blogs, and online news are typically referred to as “new media”.

Listicle style in writing is a short-form of writing that uses a list as its structure. In short, listicle is an article made of a list.

Nowadays, even though the readers could stare at their smartphones all day, they rarely focus on a single article for more than one or two minutes. The readers want to get information quickly and instantly because new media as long as digital devices changed how we consume and absorb information. Therefore, in a digital platform, the online writer has to find a new way to organize the information as simply and delicately as possible.

Listicle is a perfect solution for this problem because:

• The title tells you want to expect

• They are easy to skim for important information

• You always know how much is left

• It’s easy to put down and come back where you left off

Let's take a look at an example from WikiHow: https://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Hair-From-Getting-Greasy

In this example, by reading the title “How to keep hair from getting greasy”, you know exactly what type of information you’re going to get and whether this article will be useful for you. Each main point is numbered and expressed in sub-heading, which makes the readers skim the article easily and get the important information without having to read the whole thing. Each main point is numbered and written in each paragraph. Therefore, when you read through the paragraph, each paragraph is like an accomplishment, which itself encourages you to finish reading. Moreover, listicle is not only effective in digital platform, but it also be used for a checklist or task list.

Listicle is very effect in new media writing because it’s simple, short and sweet and go straight to the point.