Wreck This Newspaper
DTC_355 Rhetorical Analysis Web-text
Athens Online, analysis
Organization.
Element.
In the above image we see some of the elements Athens Online uses, such as Photos, Masthead, Advertisements (go to website), Weather symbol, graphic images and charts, social media icons, lines, search box, type, and flash media. In IE, phone numbers feature a live Skype call link, which adds convenience for visitors.
In the image above, we see the 3-column format with horizontal strips containing TOC running along top as an organizing strategy. The main news story photo is large, to the left. Athens Online stands out for its feature of staff blogs and community blogs up front on the home page, along the left column, which can be seen by going to the website.
Proximity.
We see in the above image that the TOC is located in proximity to the weather imag and social media icons. Because this site shows the Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Google and Pinterest icons, this reveals that their Google analytics show that traffic is coming into the website from these social media. Not seen is the Newspaper name, which is located top left, so it is easily seen upon opening the web page, next to the search bar.
Emphasis.
By emphasizing the Newspaper Name in large type (Black/Red left position) with the word "Online", the newspaper is letting readers know that this is the online version, thus may be different than the print version. The Prominent search feature, horizontal banner ad, next to weather graphic and Social media icons in moderate size and top right are all prominent so that readers can easily identify them. To see these, go to the website.
Summary.
Athens Online uses the various rhetorical strategies to good benefit. One of its main differences is the proximity of the weather with the social media icons, which is a good strategy for linking with the new digital age and the audience it serves. Like The Wenatchee World, this site could better maximize the dead space running vertically, as the Walla Walla Union Bulletin and other papers do. This would increase advertising revenue.