AOL.com uses the given-new non-linear model design element. As the book states, "the given information is presented as though it is already known to the audience, and therefore unproblematic," (Martinec and Leeuwen, p.15). On this website the given information is placed on the left side of the screen. It is all the typical headings and information one would expect to find. For example, sports, travel, yellow pages, games, etc. As the user moves their eyes across the page towards the right, the information given is current and specific. "New information is presented as though it is not yet known to the audience, and therefore in need of their attention," (Martinec and Leeuwen, p. 15). This information is presented with pictures, text and titles all to grab the user’s attention and draw them in.

The book, The Language of New Media Design, also discusses the structure visually. The page, or screen in this case, can be divided vertically in two with the given elements on the left, and the new on the right. This is exactly how AOL.com executed their layout. An actual vertical line separates the two categories. I personally like this type of design. I feel it is easy for the eye to follow and also easy to figure out. It is a convenient way to organize information when you want to include both background content and current information.

Facebook

As one of the most popular websites online, the Facebook network generates over hundreds of users daily. The website of Facebook offers many great features from interacting with friends to statues updates. Additionally, one of the great features Facebook also offers is how easily users can navigate around the website without complication. In non-linear models, Facebook uses the given and the new models. On the left, Facebook offers the given through the navigation buttons. Other navigation buttons can be found on the top as well. However, when moving across the page to the right, the new is shown. The new would be considered the status updates from friends and links leading to meeting new people in the network. Using any of the navigation buttons or links, users can see that Facebook is consistent in using the given and new model. On the profile page, given information is still on the left, while the new is on the left. Users have all their friends on the left along with their profile information. The other half consists of news feed and links leading to other websites, not entirely linked to Facebook.
On the other hand, Facebook can also be viewed as ideal and real. As stated earlier, there are also navigation buttons at the top. This views the importance of the top of the page leading down the page in more depth view of details. This allows users to find what they're looking for more easily. Overall, the website of Facebook shows the use of the Given and New along with the Ideal and real models.