Twitter allows users to post short messages (tweets) of up to 140 characters. Users can follow other accounts and see their tweets in their timeline. Hashtags categorize tweets by topic. Wikipedia is an online encyclopedia that anyone can edit to provide information on various topics through written articles, images, and references. Both sites allow users to communicate and share information globally through their unique conventions and structures.

1. Conventions of Twitter and
Wikipedia
In this presentation I will be explaining
the conventions of Twitter and
Wikipedia.

2. Twitter
Popularity - Since February 2013, there has been over 200 million users on Twitter which shows its
growth in popularity.
Tweet - A tweet is a personal status made by the user to communicate with his/her followers.
Character limit (140) - The maximum amount of letters that can be used in the text box provided, being
140.
Hashtags – Hashtags categorize the status by topic to underline what the user is trying to say. For
example, ‘Just had a haircut in Lewisham’ #Haircut.
List of popular “trending” topics - A word or topic that is tagged at a greater rate than other tags is said
to be a trending topic. Trending topics get popular when there are many users using that tag or when
there is an event happening therefore it will lead to people talking about that specific topic to get the
word out. The twitter trends allow the users to know what is going on in the world.
Direct messages – This enables the user to directly message someone only if that person is following
them. This also allows the individual user privacy when talking rather than tweeting which everyone can
see.
Retweets – Retweets are the user sharing content of other users if they relate or like the content.

3. Following and followers - Followers are people who have agreed to receive your Tweets through Twitter. If you add
someone else to the list of people you read, you "follow" them. Following pages or people will give you the latest
updates of information or events from that page which is useful to keep updated and aware of what's going on in the
world.
Activities – On the users page there would be an activity bar to show what that user has been doing. For example, it
would show that the user has recently uploaded a new picture or video, or viewed a video on Youtube.
@ and usernames – The username is the most important part for the users identification for other users on the
internet to communicate with others. For example ‘Had a great night @Dylanlindsay’ this will show on that persons
notifications
Notifications – Notifications alert the user if they have been tagged in a status or photo, this lets the user know they
have been mentioned and then can reply.
Communicate worldwide – This is could to easily contact people (friends or family) from the other side of the world
which is great for communication. It is also good because it allows the individual user to stay updated with what is
happening around the world with news and updates from celebs and friends.
Very fast way to find out what is happening – Twitter is a very good social networking site because it allows you to
find out recent events and important news instantly.
Eye witness accounts
False reports

4. Twitter
• Form: Micro blogging social network
• · Structure: 140 character status, retweets, pictures
• · Content: Individual’s expression
• · Technical conventions: Interactive
• · Mode of address: Depends on individual source – formal/informal/humorous/serious Subjective

5. Wikipedia
Online encyclopedia – This service provides the public with free unlimited information on any subject
that is searched. This gives the public an advantage when the site meets their needs of information
for various things.
Editable by the public – The public are able to edit certain parts of information provided on the site.
Lots of written information – The homepage itself offers a lot of information revolving around
different subjects. This page offers news, featured articles, facts (did you know..) and historical facts
that happened on the day the user viewed the site. This already shows the site is filled with loads of
historical and recent information up to present time.
Title of article
Contents box listings headings – jump to relevant section
Side bar with settings/preferences/content/suggestions
Pictures – Images help the user identify what the information is talking about or show archival
imagery. This would show the user the site is reliable and well informed.
Title of article – The title indicates what the article is about and distinguishes it from other articles.
Subheadings – Categorizes the subject. Subheadings are like a title but for a certain piece of text.

6. Logo in top left hyperlinked to front page – Allows the user to go back to the home page. This also
shows the Wikipedia logo which uses an image of the world as a puzzle, this shows the site has
information from all over the world. By doing this the users will know it is a knowledgeable site.
Hyperlinks – Easier for the user to navigate back to the home page and find other articles to view
which makes the user stay interested in the site and spend more time on it.
References – The references are at the bottom and show the information where the main
information has been taken from.
See Also links – These links are found on the bottom and are related subjects of the page being
viewed, this can give the user expanded knowledge on the topic being researched.
External links – These are links to other websites containing information about the subject being
viewed. This may be used to show they have the same information which makes wiki more
reliable and trustworthy.
Institutional details at the bottom
Talk page tab for discussing improvement to the page – Allows members of the public to interact
and improve the site themselves.
Revisions tab etc

7. Wiki
• Form: Online encyclopaedia
• · Structure: Written articles with paragraphs
• · Content: Information about different topics, pictures
• Technical conventions: See wiki slide
• · Mode of address: formal, serious, informative, tries to be objective