Module 3: WWW Standards - optional ‘standards’ task:

The second task in Module 3 looks directly at web writing and what some the accepted standards are. This was quite an interesting task as it covered some of the same sites that I had researched for the concepts assignment, and it is also interesting to look at web site design from different angles. Imagery and layout are important but the words that will appear on the page - and how they will appear - are an integral part of a viewable, accessible web page. There is no point having a page that could be a fantastic resource if it isn't designed in a way that makes it easy to access that information.

Prue's TOP 5 tips for writing for the web:

Tip 1: Start with the conclusion.
To entice the reader to continue perusing the material available to them on your page, you need to provide a summary straight up. It is important to grab the readers attention in their first scan of the page and give them enough data to establish whether or not this information is of use to them.

Tip 2: Get to and keep to the point.
As research has shown that the average web user scans text rather than reading word for word, it's highly likely that information will become lost if it doesn't stand alone.Don't create a page of marketing filler that promising to fufil your readers ever hope, wish and desire - but doesn't. Stay on track and write one paragraph per idea. Don't launch into a new idea halfway through, start a new paragraph for each new point or relevant tantilizing tidbit of information.

Tip 3: Don't waffle, itemize.
Make your copy easy to scan with keywords that stand out from the page. Keep your writing succinct by using short paragraphs, bullet points or lists. Do use headings, sub-headings etc to break the information into "bite-sized" pieces of data easily consumed in a quick scan of the page.

Tip 4: Be the strong link in the chain.
Add credibility to your information by supporting or emphasizing them through the use of hyperlinks. Whether you are linking to other pages on your site or to other sites, links stand out and make it easier for the user to quickly navigate to the where they need to go.

Tip 5: Keep your design simple.
Don't over-clutter the page or go overboard with glitzy animations that distract the reader from their reason for being on your website. Use imagery and graphics to enhance, not overwhelm. A simple, clean design will head users go directly to the point of interest on the site. If they have to hunt for it, it becomes time consuming and likely that they will just go somewhere else.


After reading the articles, much of the core content is similar - keep it short, simple and don't be afraid to let formatting emphasize your point through lists, bullets, pull-out quotes, highlight keywords and use of hyper-links. The more modern articles also focus on the design and the layout of the page which has become a more technical process since Neilsen's paper in 1997. The development of different techniques and software that supports them has certainly made the web more visual than it was a decade ago. It is much more common to have flash based websites that are interactive and to use images to replace large blocks of text.

It is interesting to note that while the visual aspect of the internet has changed dramatically in the past few years, the way we in which we interact with it as a informational tool is still very similar. Overall, Neilsen's paper still stands true. Many of the points he made in terms of how people read the web and interact with it are still relevant and supported in more current articles on this topic.