Wednesday, February 25, 2009

the difference between thin and thick tweets

this semester, i introduced my students to twitter and offered them my definitions for thin and thick tweets:

thin tweets are posts that convey one layer of information. thick tweets convey two or more, often with help from a hyperlink.

twitterers post thin tweets all the time. for example:

i'm grumpy today

oh snap, it's raining again

need more coffee

am about to leave for the post office

i luv cottage cheese

i encourage my students to use and experiment with twitter in any and all ways they see fit and this can of course include thin tweets. but when using twitter to fulfill one of my assignments, i require my students to post thick tweets.

thick tweets convey two or more layers of information. they often, but not always, include a hyperlink that takes readers from twitter to another source of information - a newspaper article, a blog post, a flickr set, a video. i encourage my students to use 140 characters or less to compose a thick tweet that is so compelling that no reader in his or her right mind can avoid clicking the link.

here's a few examples of thick tweets written by students in my digital media production and eating san francisco classes:


in this post, stephanienow gives a shout out to ESF, announces that her north beach project is ready for viewing, tempts us with recipes, informs us that she has a new blog, and supplies a link for us to visit. awesome: a thick tweet comprised of at least five layers of information.


here, smhz tells us about a trip to costa rica he took last month and encourages us to visit the pictures he recently posted. but i'd suggest a third layer. too often, twitterers tweet the present - sam suggests that past material (a past trip to costa rica) makes for a perfectly suitable present project (a flickr set). three layers of information.


in this thick tweet, teresacgarcia sends a shout out to ESF, tells us that she just viewed the film like water for chocolate, informs us that gleeson library has the film (borrow it for free!), and notifies us when it will be available for others. terrific: four layers of information.


in my final example, melstrikesback tells us that she'll be attending an academy awards gala, links to the event so that interested readers can learn more, and thanks the foghorn (USF's student newspaper, where melstrikesback works as scene editor) for the complimentary tix. three layers of information.

as i wrote above, i encourage my students to use twitter in any way they see fit. but my bias is evident. by requiring them to post thick tweets and by encouraging them to pack multiple layers of information within 140 characters or less, i'm trying to teach my students how to craft creative, meaty, and to-the-point messages that attract other people's attention.

plus, i'm politely suggesting that they may wish to think twice about tweeting their luv of cottage cheese.

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This is a great breakdown of the difference between "thin" and "thick" tweets! It really highlights how the depth of content can change the impact and engagement of a tweet. "Thin tweets" tend to be more surface-level and short, often relying on simplicity and immediacy, while "thick tweets" dive deeper, providing more context or provoking thought. The balance between the two can definitely influence how we communicate on Twitter, depending on whether we want to spark a quick conversation or share something more meaningful. This post has definitely given me a new perspective on crafting tweets! For ISO Certification In Saudi Arabia do contact us.

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This post by David Silver offers a thoughtful and engaging distinction between “thin” and “thick” tweets, providing a useful framework for students—and anyone—looking to use Twitter with more purpose and depth. Thin tweets serve as everyday expressions or status updates with a single layer of meaning, while thick tweets are intentionally crafted to convey multiple pieces of information and often guide readers to other content through hyperlinks. This approach emphasizes Twitter as not just a social outlet, but as a platform for rich, layered communication. Cars for sale in Nairobi Kenya are available at Magari Deals.

The examples of thick tweets created by students demonstrate how much meaning and engagement can be packed into just 140 characters. Each tweet not only communicates something personal or timely, but also invites readers into a broader context—whether that’s a blog post, photo album, event page, or public resource. This model teaches students a valuable lesson in digital literacy: brevity doesn’t have to mean superficiality, and concise messages can still be complex and meaningful when thoughtfully composed.

By encouraging thick tweets in his assignments, Silver effectively challenges students to become better communicators in the digital age. The practice fosters creativity, clarity, and relevance—essential skills for both academic and professional contexts. Additionally, the playful jab at tweets about loving cottage cheese adds humor while reinforcing the point that while all tweets have their place, crafting thoughtful and layered ones can be far more impactful and rewarding for both the writer and the audience. Mazda Demio price in Kenya are on discount at Magari Deals.

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Interesting breakdown on the difference between thin and thick tweets—thin tweets feel like quick thoughts, while thick tweets add real context or value. Loved the clarity! If you're a single mom in NC looking for support, Start Your NC Single-Mom Grant Search Today.

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