Writing Techniques
Writing for the Web
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
Contents
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Chunk information
Help readers skim
Use advance organizers
Use top of page
Provide context
Layer information
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
Chunk Information
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
Chunk Information
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Chunk information by its function and
purpose.
Decide whether to chunk information on
one or several Web pages.
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
Chunk Information
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Use the following layout devices to show
chunks:
• Headings/labels
• Lists
• Menus
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
Chunking
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
Example: Chunking
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
Help Readers Skim
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
Ways to Help Readers Skim
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Small
paragraphs/chunking
Headings
Bold
Lists
Tables
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Where text is
positioned
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e.g. top, bottom
important
Sidebars, boxes
Icons
Color
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
Example: Skimmable
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
Example: Tabular Lists
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
Use Advance Organizers
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
Advance Organizers
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Preview what is coming:
• Topics
• Sections in a topic
• Page contents
• Headings and subheadings
• Paragraphs
• Sentences
• Lists
• Examples
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
Example
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
Example
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
Methods of Formatting Advance
Organizers
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Links
Lists
Paragraphs
Bold terms
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
Example
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
Use Top of Page
Effectively
Above the scroll
Top 1/3 of page
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
Important Information
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Put the most important information in the
top third of your Web page.
Make the most important information
prominent: draw the reader's eye to it.
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
Top of Page
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Every page should make it clear
• What the page is about
• How it relates to the site as a whole
• Who is responsible for the site
• What is available
• How to get there (navigation)
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
Tips for Top of Page
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Put key elements in focal point.
Use balance.
Group related information.
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
Use the Inverted Pyramid
Important points
Detail
Background
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
What to Include
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Main point: who, what, where, when, why,
and how.
Brief overview/preview of topics (advance
organizer).
Brief statement of the context.
Background information (or a link to
background and conceptual information)
needed to understand the topic.
Link to details and examples.
Link to a summary.
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
Make Each Page Context
Independent
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
Context Independence
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Every Web page should be independent.
This affects
• Contact information and other identification
techniques
• Definitions
• Conceptual information
• Pronoun references
• References to sources
• Transitions
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
Contextual Clues
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Color-coding
Document and chapter names (path showing the
location in a large document)
Headings
Identity graphic and logo
Menus and navigational aids
Organization name, site sponsor, & contact info
Page number location/total number of pages
Titles
Paths that show context
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
Example: Paths to Show Context
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
Graphical Ways to Show
Location
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Color coding
Arrows
Icons
Shading
Tabs
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
Layer Information
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
Layering
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Begin with general information, then
providing links to more details or
supplementary information.
• Allows users to reveal information only when
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they ask for it.
A method of “progressive disclosure,” or
“zooming in” to details or explanation.
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e
The Internet Writer’s Handbook 2/e