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!