Rants: Benefits of an object-oriented approach -- Web Writing that Works

Looking at the elements in current documents as rhetorical objects can help us improve the effectiveness of the information.
Defining the purpose of each object we now use.
Clarifying the standard patterns for these objects, developing a more methodical definition of the structure of each pattern.
Applying that pattern in editing old documents, to spot places where the document is not working properly, and to correct those without getting lost in stylistic revisions.
Creating templates that restrict and direct new writing.
Building in attributes that allow more pinpointed searching for particular small objects, such as a definition, or a single procedure.
Making our conceptual model explicit, and articulate.
Demonstrating how we classify the information, how we rank its importance in a hierarchy, offering full disclosure, not hiding information.
Simplifying access for a user who is feeling anxious, angry, or upset.
Supporting the users as they grasp and use the structural model we present, by being consistent in our own use of it, avoiding internal inconsistencies that raise questions in people's minds.
Offering multiple perspectives on the same information.
Allowing us to customize content for particular niche audiences.
Allowing users to personalize the content that is relevant to their interests.
Identifying possible audiences as attributes of the objects.
Improving searches by providing richer meta-information about each object.

Taking an object-oriented approach to content pays off.

Form for Modeling an Object (PDF)

A rhetoric of objects

Complexity theory as a way of understanding the Web

Structuring complex interactive information

Modeling information in electronic space

Greater complexity and sophistication in design

Simplifies the design of complex systems. We can visualize each one as a collection of objects, manipulate objects to achieve most meaningful structure.

Allows frequent changes to design, rather than lock-in. You can refine as you build, rather than getting stuck with quirks of original design.

Encourages consistent, functional interface and layout across systems.

Increased speed

Increases the speed at which we can put together new collections, anthologies, reissues of existing information.
Makes rapid development possible through prototyping, iterative design
Increases speed at which editors can revise legacy paper documents for online delivery.
Speeds searches and makes them more precise and accurate.
Dovetails with databases for documents-on-demand.

Improved reliability

Each object is tested on its own, works, then is integrated into larger organization.

Improved efficiency

Increases ability to reuse materials in new packages, new media, new contexts, many not yet foreseen.
Clarifies what must be updated on any given subject, what other objects are impacted.
Works well in client-server, distributed, networked, even parallel computing environments.

Wider perspective

Strengthens a focus on structure
Strengthens consistency across documents, lessens individual twists and turns
Reduces focus on document releases, shifts attention to constant updates. Documents become snapshots of current data.
Encourages collaboration with professionals in the MIS, IS, or DP groups.
Enables an intelligent enterprise model: full visual representation of the business, with every object hot.

Web Writing that Works!
http://www.WebWritingThatWorks.com
© 2002, 2004 Jonathan and Lisa Price
The Communication Circle
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