✏️ WritingGrade 4Lesson 38
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Publish work digitally

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Learning Objectives

  • 1Explain how digital publishing differs from handwritten or printed writing
  • 2Apply digital formatting choices such as font, spacing, and headings
  • 3Identify safe and responsible practices when sharing work online
  • 4Prepare a piece of writing for digital publication using correct formatting
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Mini Lesson

Publishing your writing digitally means sharing it with an audience through electronic formats — a family blog, a shared document, an e-portfolio, or a supervised website. Digital writing follows all the same rules as printed writing, but adds new considerations: formatting choices, online safety, and how text appears on a screen.

Digital Formatting Choices

  • Font — choose a readable font like Arial or Times New Roman; avoid decorative fonts for body text.
  • Font size — 11–12pt for body text; 14–16pt for headings.
  • Line spacing — use 1.5 or double spacing for easier reading on screen.
  • Headings — use bold headings (H1, H2) to organize sections and guide readers.
  • Alignment — left-align body text; center headings only when appropriate.

What Changes When Writing for a Digital Audience?

  • Readers scan screens rather than reading word by word — use short paragraphs and bullet points.
  • Hyperlinks can connect to further information — label them clearly.
  • Images and media can support your text — include captions for all images.
  • Your writing may be read on phones, tablets, or computers — keep text concise.

Online Safety When Publishing

  1. Never include your full name, address, phone number, or town name in public posts.
  2. Get permission before including photos of friends or other people.
  3. Use an approved or supervised platform when publishing to a wider audience.
  4. Think before you post — once something is online, it can be difficult to remove.
  5. Cite any sources, images, or quotes you use in your work.
Digital Formatting ChoicesFive digital formatting choices: font, font size, line spacing, headings, alignment, each with a rule.Digital Formatting ChoicesFontArial or Times New Roman; no decorative fontsFont Size11-12pt body; 14-16pt headingsLine Spacing1.5 or double for easier screen readingHeadingsBold H1/H2 to organize sectionsAlignmentLeft-align body; center headings if neededPreview before publishing — check as a reader.
Five formatting rules for digital work.
Online Safety RulesFive numbered safety rules for publishing online: protect personal info, get permission, use supervised platforms, think before posting, cite sources.Online Safety Rules1Never share full name, address, or phone number2Get permission before posting photos of others3Use supervised, approved platforms for wider audiences4Think before you post — hard to remove later5Always cite sources, images, and quotes usedOnce posted online, it can be very hard to delete.
Five non-negotiable safety rules online.
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Tip: Before publishing, always preview your work as a reader would see it. Check that headings are clear, images load correctly, and no personal information has been accidentally included.

Vocabulary
digital publishing
Sharing written work electronically through websites, blogs, or shared documents.
formatting
The visual presentation of text, including font, size, spacing, and alignment.
hyperlink
A clickable piece of text or image that takes the reader to another page or resource.
e-portfolio
A digital collection of a learner's work, accessible online.
cite
To give credit to the original source of information, images, or quotes used in your work.
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