TECM 3200Writing for the Web

Dr. Lam

Some fundamental differences

• First, what do you think some fundamental differences between writing for the web and print writing are (based on your readings and/or experiences)?

Some Fundamental Differences

• In print writing (especially technical/report writing), authors can use things like introductions, transitions, and other features rhetorically

• In web writing, you cannot build on arguments in the same way

• Why is this?

Source for subsequent slides: Jakob Nielsen and http://www.kerryr.net/webwriting/guide_web-vs-print.htm

How do they read?

• Web users generally ignore extraneous graphics.

• 79% of users scan the page instead of reading word for word, focusing on headlines, summaries and captions.

• Web readers are three times more likely than newspaper readers to limit in-depth reading to short paragraphs.

• Of those Web users who do read the entire page, most only absorb 75% of the content.

It’s due in part to the medium

• Reading from a computer monitor is 25% slower than reading from print.

• Reading from a computer monitor increases eye strain and fatigue.

• Web users often scan center-left-right, instead of left-right.

• So, what do we do with important content?

Content-Related Information

• Web users are active, not passive. If a quick scan doesn't show them the information they need, they won't spend time searching for it.

• The longer the text, the less likely Web users are to read it.

• The longer the text, the faster Web users will skim the scannable elements (headlines, summaries, and captions) - if they scan the page at all.

• Web users don't believe hype. Any claim needs to be backed up by facts.

Finally, I hate rules, but…

• According to Nielsen, web content should have 50% of the word count of its paper equivalent.

• Users don't read on the Web. They scan pages and pick out headings, sentences, and phrases to find what they need.

So, if we have to cut 50%

• Let’s talk about some of the guidelines presented in Redish Ch. 10

1. Talk to your site visitors- use “you”2. Use “I” and “we”3. Write in the active voice (most of the time)4. Write short, simple sentences5. Cut unnecessary words.6. Give extra information its own place.7. Keep paragraphs short. 8. Start with the context.9. Put the action in the verb. 10. Use your site visitor's words

Let’s try

• Download the Controlled Watering Program Document from the course website.