How to Communicate Online

Communicating Clearly and Effectively

1. Choose your words carefully. In any kind of communication, it's important to be as clear as possible so that other people can understand what you mean.^[1] Before you post something or send a message, think about exactly what you want to say. Once you write it out, look it over and ask yourself:

   1. 'Is this clear and concise, or is any of it confusing or awkwardly worded?'
   2. 'Have I said everything I want to say?'
   3. 'Is there anything unnecessary here that I could remove?'
   4. 'Does anything I've said here sound insensitive?'

2. Take care when using humor or sarcasm. When you're talking to someone face-to-face, you can say a lot with your body language and tone of voice that you can't convey with just words. When you're communicating through text online, the people you're talking with have to rely on your words alone to understand what you're saying. Before cracking a joke or making a sarcastic remark, ask yourself whether your intent will be obvious to the people reading your message.^[2]

   1. Sometimes you can clarify your intentions with a well-placed emoji, like a winking smiley after a joke or ironic remark.
   2. Many people online use /s to mean 'sarcasm' at the end of a sarcastic comment.
   3. Even if your intent seems obvious to you, it may not be to other people. For example, even if you say something completely ridiculous, such as 'I think eating wood chips is a great idea,' readers might take you literally and react with surprise and disgust.

3. Keep it respectful. When you're sitting behind a computer screen, it's easy to forget that there are real people on the other side. Even if you're upset by what someone else is saying online, pause and reflect before you lash out. Avoid name-calling, accusations, and character attacks.^[3]

   1. As a general rule, try not to say anything online that you wouldn't say to someone's face.
   2. If you disagree with someone, address what they're saying rather than attacking them as a person. For example, instead of saying 'You're an idiot if you believe that!' you could say, 'I get what you're saying, but I don't think that's true.'

4. Proofread your writing before you post or send. If you send a message or make a post that's full of typos, spelling errors, and bad grammar, your reader may take what you have to say less seriously. It will also make your writing harder to understand. Carefully check what you've written and fix any errors you find.^[4]

   1. Many browsers and email programs have built-in spellchecker tools that can help you catch spelling errors and typos.
   2. Watch out for common errors that your spellchecker might not catch, like mixing up 'your' and 'you're.'

5. Save slang and abbreviations for informal settings. If you're chatting with a friend over an instant messaging app or exchanging friendly banter on Facebook, you don't have to worry about keeping your writing formal. However, abbreviations, smileys, and netspeak aren't appropriate in every situation. Avoid using them in formal emails or serious online discussions.^[5]

   1. For example, if you're writing an email to your professor or posting on a class bulletin board, it's probably best not to end with 'c u l8r!' Instead, use a more formal sign-off, like 'I look forward to seeing you in class tomorrow. Best, Kylie.'

6. Review the rules and etiquette before posting in a group. Individual online communities have different expectations for how their participants should behave. When you join an online group, such as a Facebook group or a discussion forum, take a few moments to read the rules of the group first. You can also get a sense of how you're expected to behave by observing the way established group members interact.

   1. In most groups, members are expected to be respectful and courteous to each other.
   2. There may also be rules about what kinds of content you are allowed to post. For example, some groups forbid content that is 'not safe for work' (NSFW), meaning you shouldn't post anything that someone wouldn't want to get caught looking at on a work computer.

   Tip: Many online communities have their own specialized abbreviations and lingo. Take time to familiarize yourself with terms that frequently pop up in any group so you can use and understand them correctly.

7. Verify information before sharing it. People constantly share bits of information online that can be fascinating, surprising, uplifting, or even downright scary. Unfortunately, a lot of it is also untrue. Sharing misinformation online can cause real harm, so be critical of things you read on the Internet. Before you hit 'share,' do a quick search and try to verify the information with a reliable source.^[6]

   1. For example, if your Aunt Bertha posts an infographic claiming that eating Swiss cheese can cure bunions, do a little research before you share it. Try to find an article from a reliable medical website or journal about the health benefits of Swiss cheese.