In last week’s workshop we discussed some questions around defining what a hypermedia story is, or might be.  Here’s an overview of some responses that came up, which could be useful to help shape your group’s approach for the final assessment task.

What are some qualities of a hypermedia story?

• Online, digital, electronic
• Hyperlinks, links
• Interactive
• Immersive – ‘ludic’ (Douglas)
• Multiple media
• Non-linear, Multilinear
• Complexity of linking ‘media’ – i.e image maps

What are some of the affordances – i.e what does it allow that other forms don’t/might not?

• Greater dimension to story
• Reader choice: reader determines path
• Multilinearity (Landow)
• More actively engaged reader
• Digital: encourages interaction, potentially multiple devices
• You can readily combine different media

What are some challenges we face in writing one?

• Flow of the story: author intention
• Technical skills: Javascript, fluid experience
• Presenting options to your reader; how, where, when
• Appropriate design
• Appropriate concept: content fitting the form
• Catering to an audience; understanding your audience
• Dealing with audience expectations
• Creating a Fluid narrative