NPR Case Study

What is your first impression of the site?

The website is organized and not overwhelmed with pictures or text. Headlines are clearly laid out at the top and the different genres of news are clearly marked below. It is well divided on the site, and the viewer can see the different sections that are available to them. It also followed the three second rule because it loaded quickly.

How does this site establish credibility? How does it establish trust? Or does it?

 It does establish credibility.

- It is a well respected organization and well known (National Public Radio)

-It has been updated recently (Copyright 2015)

-Definitely is professionally designed

-Comprehensive info that is attributed to a certain source, and if you click the authors name of a particular article, their credentials are listed

-Viewer has access to the websites privacy policy

-Easily accessible “contact us” link

-Search capabilities

-AURL that ends in .org

What is the general writing style?

 The writing is very concise and does not show any flowery or overly lengthy writing. The articles seem fairly objective from the articles that we observed. The language is simple and clear, easy to read.

Does the writer identify with his or her readers, or not? How (or why not)?

 Not particularly. We are not sure if it is very important for an author of a news article to relate to one’s reader. The author should remain objective and communicate the news.

Does the writing style get to the point?

Yes.

 How is it arranged? Is it arranged in reverse pyramid style?

It is definitely in the reverse pyramid style. It presents the most important points/main point in the first paragraph and then elaborates from there.

Is content shaped for scanning? How is the content layered?

Yes. It is broken up into very small paragraphs and has subheadings which makes the articles easy to scan and find information.

Is the tone or rhythm of the site consistent throughout?

NPR seems to have a consistent tone throughout its site. The news articles seem to demonstrate a similar and professional tone.

How does the site use headlines?

It uses them! They are bigger, bolder, and sometimes colorful. The headlines give a good description of what the article entails.

How does it use links? Effectively or not?

  The links are there and they work.

How is multimedia used? It is distracting? How is it displayed on the site? Does the multimedia tell the same story as the same text, or as different side of the story?

We think that the pictures and videos definitely enhance the articles. They are pertinent to the information and are not distracting. They are integrated into the progression of the article, and do not overwhelm the article.

How does the site “package” the stories?

NPR does not seem to consistently package story. In some articles, there are packages, and in others there are not.

How are graphics used?

 Graphics are used pretty sparingly. They are interspersed with text and do not overwhelm or crowd the eye.

Can each page stand on its own?

 Each page seems that it can stand on its own. On each individual page, you can access home, other subcategories, and links to the privacy policy, and contact link.

How is the navigation? Do you get lost? Do you always know where you are? How or why not?

The navigation is really easy. You can’t really get lost because you can always get home (always located at the top left hand corner of the page).

How does the site incorporate/interact with its audience? How does it embody the social aspect of the internet?

 In the top right corner of the website you can access the “social network” element. At the bottom of the page you can click a link to follow NPR on Facebook and Twitter.

How would you rate the usability of the site? Elaborate...

We feel that the NPR website is very user friendly. You feel that you can access all the articles and can’t get lost on the website. Everything works efficiently and follow the three second rule.

How would you improve the site?

The website is a little bit congested. There could be a little bit more free space. Maybe give each section a little more room to breathe, and don’t put them on top of each other.