Writing for Multimedia and the Web: A Practical Guide to Content Development for Interactive Media (3rd ed.)

Citation

Anh Tran, L. (2007), "Writing for Multimedia and the Web: A Practical Guide to Content Development for Interactive Media (3rd ed.)", Online Information Review, Vol. 31 No. 2, pp. 248-249. https://doi.org/10.1108/14684520710747310

This book is one of the most useful guides for writing interactive multimedia for the web, such as computer games, training and educational programmes, web sites, museums, exhibits and e‐learning courses. This third edition continues the same approach for writing interactivities that has been useful to readers of past editions. In addition, this new edition provides four new case studies, such as writing for blogs, and usability tips for writers; a glossary; and updates throughout. The contents are arranged in four main parts with a total of 26 chapters.

Part 1, Interactive Media and the Writer, contains six chapters that investigate the high demands on writers when preparing interactive multimedia for web sites. Additionally, this part provides the key concepts and definitions of important terms, which are discussed in association with a series of topics: Linking, High‐level Design and Information Architecture, Interactive Devices, Writing for Multimedia, High‐level Design and Management Skills, Flowcharting and Other Organizational Tools, Writing as Part of the Production Team, and Scripting Interactive Multimedia for Web Sites.

Part 2, Writing Informational Multimedia and Web Sites, contains 10 chapters, two of which are especially important. Chapter 7 introduces the definitions and aspects of informational multimedia and web sites; discusses ways to define project goals for writing interactivities and web sites based on the business context, data and users; and the techniques to achieve such goals. Chapter 8 explores a wide variety of possible structures (linear structure, section and hierarchical branching, etc.) and navigation of informational multimedia programmes and web sites in association with web architecture. The web architecture design is based on flowcharts and wire‐frames. Other chapters (9‐16) provide case studies on writing marketing, corporate and research portal web sites and the online feature story; writing interactive maths and statistics lessons for e‐learning; writing for a museum kiosk; writing and developing vital signs for training; simulation, database, and online advertising.

Part 3, Writing Interactive Narrative and Linear Narrative, consists of nine chapters. Chapter 17 defines concepts and key terms in association with interactive multimedia narrative. “Narrative” is what we often refer to as a story, and an interactive multimedia narrative allows the user to explore several variations of a story or stories. The next chapter describes the elements of interactive multimedia narrative that must be understood by the writers and designers. These elements include the role of the player, character development, structure, exposition, plot points, scenes, pace and time, and dialogue and other sound. The last six chapters in this part (19‐25) provide in‐depth case studies of a variety of projects of narrative multimedia for developing web sites, online training and computer games. Such case studies present techniques and experiences of the top writers and designers in creating powerful programmes for interactive multimedia and the web.

Part 4, Interactive Writing Careers, contains the final chapter, which discusses challenges the interactive writer faces, including creative challenges, technical challenges, and productivity and organisational challenges. Additionally, it provides some tips for developing an interactive writing career and for marking the interactive multimedia projects.

The text is lucid and clear, making this an ideal self‐instruction or classroom manual, and the case studies are a particular strength is providing real‐life examples of discussion in the text. Also, the CD‐ROM included with the book provides script samples, screen shots, programme demonstrations, multimedia production information, links to software, a video on the creation of a multimedia programme and other supplementary materials.

This is a basic, thorough guide to writing interactive multimedia and web sites for beginners and students, as well as more experienced professionals, traditional media writers and web designers seeking to improve their knowledge and skills. This book is also very useful for lecturers, teachers, and web site coordinators who are involved in the field of interactive multimedia and web sites.