Writing for the Web: Strategies to Promote
Good Writing
Darlene FichterData Library Coordinator
University of Saskatchewan Librarylibrary.usask.ca/~fichter
Outline
► Classic Mistakes► 10 Ways to Encourage Web Writing
Wordiness
► Strike out useless words
Legalese
► “By clicking the submit button, you agree to abide by regulations specified by both the borrowing and the lending library concerning the use of the borrowed item. You also agree that you have read the copyright notice and will observe copyright provisions in the use of any library material requested.”
► ILL loan form
Put Important Items First
► Put the most important things first– Enamored by alphabet
► Link density should be highest above the fold
Harness Hypertext Power
Jargon
► InfoTrac | Ebscohost | | Lexis-Nexis Newsbank |
► MELVYL, HAYSTAC, SUNCAT► Course Integrated Sessions ► Information Literacy► Circulation, collections, reference
Use Words for Important Announcements
► Use words not graphics for promoting new program or service
Don’t SHOUT
Typography
► Layout your text consistently to support how user’s read
Promoting Good Writing
► Lots of ways to promote good writing► Depends on your situation
– One author or many?– Decentralized or centralized
Make the Case
► With management► With the web team► Ideally designate an “editor” for
content who will:– Review the site– Set guidelines and standards – Mentor new authors
Set Standards with Your Team
► Editorial standards– Capitalization, punctuation– Acronyms
► Styles– Headings, subheadings– Make a site wide style sheet– Make it mandatory– Consider typography and layout
Pre-Publication Checklists
► Spell checking► Uses standard styles► Follows editorial guidelines► Check for:
– Hyperlinks embedded in text– Dense block of texts– Check “readability statistics”– Word count over ______
Lead By Example
► Make sure the areas that you control are succinct, clear and easy to read– Annotations in a subject directory
Recognize Good Writing
► Let other authors know about particular pages that are well written
► Tell stories
Recruit Authors as Observers for Your Next Usability Test
► Nothing works better► Seeing is believing
Marketing
► Send out tips or a newsletter by email► Sprinkle in writing tips► Plan a seminar
Be a Teacher
► Do not assume new authors will know how to write for the web
Foster External Review
► If you don’t have a site wide editor, encourage authors to partner with another author and ask for a review
► For major sections, ask for prototypes so you can review and make suggestions before it’s set in stone
Provide Resources
► Plain language word lists► Before and After examples
Instead of Use
construct build
concerning about
in order to to
Questions?
► Thank you!
