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TRANSCRIPT
Center for Parent Information & Resources
Thanks for joining us today.We’re glad you’re here.
Writing for the Web
NICHCY Legacy Resource to Consult
http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/webwriting/
Understand how people read on the web
Help readers skim and scan
Put the essential message first
Chunk your information
Use headings & subheadings
Write in plain language
How do people read on the Web?How do people read on the Web?
They don’t.
skim and scan
look for keywords
sweep what they see in an F stroke
can be gone like lightning
They:
Eye-Tracking StudiesEye-Tracking Studies
See the F stroke pattern?
http://www.nngroup.com/articles/f-shaped-pattern-reading-web-content/
Jakob Nielsen
Eye-Tracking StudiesEye-Tracking Studies
Summary at: http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/web-reading/
80%
Users spend
of their time on the left side of the page
69%
Put the most important info first, forget the nice intro
Get to the point immediately Keep headers & links flush to
left margin
Implications?
Users spend
of their time looking above the fold”
Use The Inverted PyramidUse The Inverted Pyramid
http://www.s8080blog.com/tag/inverted-pyramid/
Help your visitors get the point
of the page fast
Load the first paragraph with the essential message
Example from Jakob NielsenExample from Jakob Nielsen
http://www.nngroup.com/articles/page-fold-manifesto/
Helping Readers Skim and ScanHelping Readers Skim and Scan
Include a table of contents
State the most important info in the first 2 paragraphs
Chunk content in short paragraphs
Put only 1 main idea in a paragraph
Bold headings and subheadings
ExampleExample
NICHCY in 2008 Today at CPIR
ExampleExample
State the point of the page right off the bat!
Readers can see the contents of the page immediately.
http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/ei-overview/
Helping Readers Skim and ScanHelping Readers Skim and Scan
Front-load headings with keywords
Use bullets, numbered lists, and numerals
Don’t center text on the page
Make your links meaningful
Test your site with a few users
http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/web-scanning/
ExampleTo see pictures of Skeletar, click here.
See pictures of Skeletar.
Helping Readers Skim and ScanHelping Readers Skim and Scan
Tips About Headings
Make headers into questions your readers askWhere can I have my child evaluated?
Write headers are action statements, using verbsFind Help for Your ChildKnow Your Rights
Consider starting with a keywordCost: Will I have to pay for these services?
More about the Inverted PyramidMore about the Inverted Pyramid
The Lead | Most important point of the page
Good leads:
are 1-2 sentences longuse short sentences (30-35 words max)include information-carrying keywordshelp readers see whether the webpage has info relevant to their need or concern
More about the Inverted PyramidMore about the Inverted Pyramid
The Body | Here, you support your lead in descending order of importance
Tips:
Make it easy for visitors to scan the contentInclude a table of contentsDivide content into distinct sectionsUse headings (in bold) to mark the sectionsUse headings rich with content wordsKeep individual paragraphs shortGive bulleted lists
More about the Inverted PyramidMore about the Inverted Pyramid
The End | Here’s where the least important info goes, what would be “nice” for readers to know
Count yourself lucky if visitors read this far. But many will!
Subscribe to Jakob Nielsen's weekly Alertbox newsletter
http://www.nngroup.com/articles/subscribe/
Visit his website. Great articles!
Top 10 Mistakes in Web Design
Designing Teen-Targeted Websites
Most Violated Homepage Guidelines
Top Homepage Usability Guidelines
The State of Mobile User Experience
Questions?
Comments?
http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/webinar-webwriting/
You can find the slides, helpful handouts, and (very soon) the recording of this webinar on the webpage we’ve created for this event.
Thank you very much for attending this webinar.
Debra Jennings, Project Director [email protected]
Myriam Alizo, Project Assistant [email protected]
Indira Medina, Communication and Dissemination [email protected]
Lisa Küpper, Product Development [email protected]
Jan Serak, Senior Advisor [email protected]