Writing on the Web

1
Writing on the Web
2
Key Issues

• Tone
• Accessibility
• Style

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Tone

• Write to your readers
• Conversational rather than formal
• Level of professionalism depends on site
• 2nd person
• Avoid jargon

4
Accessibility

• Chunk information
• Begin with most important elements
• Use headings to provide an overview
• Use lists to summarize

5
Style 4 Rules for Editing

• Avoid passive voice
• The dog was walked ? I walked the dog
• Avoid It is/There are expressions
• There are many advantages to this approach ? This
  approach has many advantages
• Convert nouns to their verb forms
• Make a recommendation ? Recommend
• Cut the fat
• http//wiz.cath.vt.edu/tw/TechnicalWriting/style/c
  larityphrases.htm