WordUp (found at http://thephoenix.com/blogs/wordup/) is a blog written by various contributors to Phoenix Network, which is an “alternative newsweekly.” The blog is typically written by Deirdre Fulton, a staff writer from the Portland Phoenix. Fulton writes on everything from politics to books to food. Her typical fodder in WordUp involves literary critiques or interviews with authors. Occasionally Fulton has guest bloggers create postings. One such posting came from Nina MacLaughlin, the assistant web editor for the Boston Phoenix. MacLaughlin has her own blog; Word Riot is subtitled “good writing. no remorse.” MacLaughlin’s posting was a retort to Updike’s review of Jonathan Safran-Foer’s Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.
Fulton and MacLaughlin both aim their writings toward a moderately literate audience. Despite the tendency toward complex sentences, most concepts are still kept simple and to the point. The diction is familiar and the vocabulary is main-stream, but a few references are made in MacLaughlin’s piece specifically about Updike’s literary contributions. For example the readers are given the first sentence of Updike's A&P as if they are already familiar with it. These references imply that the blogger assumes they are common knowledge and need not be further explained to her readers. There is a link within MacLaughlin’s post to Updike’s review of Safran-Foer, so curious and computer-savvy readers can at least be aware of the review that MacLaughlin is commenting on. There are also allusions made to a woman named Sharon. We, as readers, are given no relational context for who this woman may be. I assumed it was a friend of MacLaughlin, but the casual mention of her implies she is a regular character in MacLaughlin’s postings, and does not need to be explained because her subscribers would be familiar with her already.
The website itself is fairly straightforward and without much outside advertising. There is one large ad on the top of the page next to The Boston Phoenix logo, and two smaller ads on the about halfway down the page, one on either side of the posting. There is also a large ad the entire width of the screen which reads: Student Survival Guide. This is placed directly above the image and title of the blog WordUp, and suggests a reader population of students. The image that WordUp uses for its title is a young woman (guesstimated 25-35 years of age) leaning back against a black leather chair reading a book. The words WordUp are written in block text above the woman’s feet. WordUp does have slideshow links on the right side of the main feature, as well as links to other Phoenix blogs and other stories by MacLaughlin on the left below the advertisement.
Based on the three slideshows to the left hand side of the main blog I would propose that the intended audience has a liberal background. The three slideshows are titled: (1) Boston League of Women Wrestlers, (2) Mellow Bravo at Middle East Downstairs, and (3) Boston Tattoo Convention. Women wrestling leagues are less than main-stream as an American sport. Mellow Bravo is a young roadhouse rock ‘n’ roll band from Boston who played at the Middle East Downstairs – a typical joint for the alternative indie-rock music scene. The Boston Tattoo Convention Slideshow link takes you to a series of photos taken at the convention at the Sheraton Hotel. Tattoos are not normally connected with the conservative-minded.
It also seems that the education level of readers is college-level. This hypothesis is based on the topical matter addressed in the blog. A usual blog topic for Fulton is some facet of literary culture. Fulton and MacLaughlin both assume their readers possess some familiarity with literary culture when blogging. However, the blog by MacLaughlin also describes her dislike for Updike being related to the fact that she is not a “53 year old divorcee.” Updike is old, and MacLaughlin is implying that older generations are Updike followers. The reference to a generational gap implies that MacLaughlin’s audience is younger than 53 at least. This, along with the WordUp main image on the top of the blog sets the target demographic between 20 and 35 in my mind.
While Nina MacLaughlin does not seem concerned about the opinions of others, she does focus on making an argument. It doesn’t appear that she expects hostility from her readers, but she does make an effort to make a point and support it rather than just observing events around her. Fulton, the main blogger behind WordUp, seems to have the same avenue of approach. An argument or strong opinion is essential to her writing as well, but most of her posts are her musings on items of the literary world; a new book, an emerging author, a controversial review or an update on a book tour. MacLaughlin’s post fits into Fulton’s series because it deals with Updike’s review on Jonathan Safran-Foer. Debate and discussion regarding any postings on the blog is not actively encouraged or discouraged. There is a comment section on the main page of WordUp titled Latest Comments, but it is located far left midway down the page and is not prominently highlighted.
Considering the overall site layout and content, not only MacLaughlin’s posting on Updike and Foer, it seems that the target audience for WordUp would be literate, college-educated, liberal people. Her audience has knowledge about the literary world, and is somewhat familiar with authors, novels, pieces, and literary criticisms. WordUp is written in familiar diction and resists a professional, condescending tone. Often the blogs sound like reports on events with an opinion on the happening highlighted by the blogger. The blog offers opinions, but does not force them down people’s throats with adamant, exclusive language. For an audience interested in upcoming literary events, and authors, WordUp is an informative and interesting website.
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