Blurb reduction!

Reducing our “Blurbs” 

The subheading above sounds like a 1950’s diet plan, right? Well, today, we are going on a diet plan for prose. We will take a closer look at our introductory writing, or so-called “blurb” writing, for concision. This is writing we use to introduce ourselves and our work throughout the portfolio. In his video on designing and writing for the web, expert Chris Nodder advises that we reduce prose by 50% when writing our “blurbs.” He also advises using terms and descriptions that make sense to our audiences.

For blurb-reduction strategies, check out 8 Steps to More Concise Writing for tips. I also love using The Paramedic Method.

The research Chris Nodder cites about reducing prose for business websites probably applies to personal portfolios, too. When I was choosing sample e-portfolios for this course and for the Rhetoric and Civic Life site, I was easily turned off by walls of prose and portfolios that didn’t immediately offer a specific viewpoint and aesthetic coherence.

In addition to reducing your blurbs, try to write them with more audience focus and vivid language!

Let’s reduce blurbs:

Sally Student’s E-portfolio

Welcome to my e-portfolio! I am a freshman at Penn State University and I am majoring in alchemy and goat yoga, with a concentration in kids. I am also a Scholar in the Schreyer Honors College. Though I hope to go on to graduate school in alchemy and become a professional alchemist, I have always been passionate about goat yoga, however, I am an advocate for safe labor conditions for the kids. Speaking of small and cute animals, I have been a participant in competitive dog grooming since I was 6. My e-portfolio is arranged by tabs to showcase each of my diverse interests.

 

Blurb 1

In my CAS 138T class, I was tasked to write a paradigm shift essay that considers how ideas and practices have shifted over time. I decided that I would look at the rise of avocado toast and how that evolved over time. I liked this rise to hipster culture and to market conditions and free trade arrangements with Mexico. I also connected it to rising veganism, and a need to get healthy oils and fats from vegetable matter in addition to the influence of Mexican cuisine. Below you will find a link to my paper