discovery.

Recently, I've been on www.cnn.com quite often. The webpage has a convenient layout: a for top stories, latest news, highlights, and such. Personally, I click on the stories at the very top of the page and that have a photo accompanying the writing. This habit probably is applicable to countless people who read CNN or even other publication websites. Yet, there is a more psychological trend.

Reporters write. Reporters want their stories to be read. Reporters seek for a way to captivate the readers.
Readers read. Readers click on the full stories of some articles. Readers search for a key word to decide.

Evidently, this is a cliche. Society knows, we know that we all seek for the key word. As a reader, I refuse to read the full stories of all the headlines so I search for a word-an extreme one-that instantly captivates me. And it is this word that psychologically impacts my mind. Unconsciously, it drives my right index finger to "click." At first, I didn't see a pattern, but now I do. I looked back at all the articles I decided to read more profoundly or completely. It isn't surprising to many the fact that many of these articles had to do with massive killings and murders. Don't get me wrong, I am not interested in death or anything of that nature. However, the words that associate with death are strong. They can't be easily glided over.

I personally get concerned and even get goosebumps while reading these articles; some are typical, but some are outrageous. Either way, the key words that these reporters choose when submitting the headline my psychology. It is the key word that drives my mind to read such concerning and even horrifying articles.

Discovery: More than the main writing, it's the keywords that determine the popularity of the article.


Image via Xanga.com