: Re: Are headlines about lists superior in print as they are in web content? A common tactic for capturing attention is using a headline N something for something For example on Copyblogger

@Twilah982

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I haven't come across any specific data regarding the effect being carried over into print but I doubt it does--right now at least.

Firstly, what kind of reading do people do in print? Usually it's of the attention-demanding kind--novels, textbooks--for which they've already made the mental commitment. Certain types of print material (magazines, newspapers) have made occasional use of lists in the past and will continue to do so but again that's because people don't always pick up a newspaper prepared to devote their whole attention to reading the thing in one go. (And more people prefer these online now anyway.)

Secondly, articles in print are not fighting for attention in a hyperstimulating environment like articles online are--there are no CTA's like "click here", "google this", "watch this video", or other such distractions.

But even if we don't have any significant effects right now, we will likely see more print material adopting this format in the future. We've already got evidence that Internet/screen reading impacts the brain's reading style both offline and online.

Sources:
1. www.washingtonpost.com/local/serious-reading-takes-a-hit-from-online-scanning-and-skimming-researchers-say/2014/04/06/088028d2-b5d2-11e3-b899-20667de76985_story.html
2. www.scientificamerican.com/article/reading-paper-screens/

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