The Call to Write, Third edition

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The Call to Write, Third edition

• Chapter 20, Web Design

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Chapter overview

• Gives an introduction to Web design
• Examines the rhetorical purpose of Web design
• Looks at the structure of Web design
• Discusses the visual design of Web sites

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Introduction to Web design

• Chapter doesnt focus on the technical aspects of
  how to create a Web site, but rather on the
  basics of how to design one.
  
• It contrasts the way people use information
  online as opposed to printed information.
  
• People visit a Web site, navigate the site, and
  choose their own path from numbers of hyperlinks.

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Planning a Web site

• Planning begins with an analysis of your purpose
  (or the call to write) and audience
  
• Who will visit your site?
• How will the design indicate who your audience
  is?
  
• What do you want visitors to do when they get to
  the Web site?

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The purpose of Web design

• Web sites are designed with the same three
  purposes mentioned in chapter 19
  
• Identification
• Information
• Persuasion

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The structure of Web design

• Structure has to do with how pages are linked to
  each other. Several options are discussed.
  
• Shallow structure Home page has limited options,
  and visitors can get to any page with one or two
  clicks.
  
• Hypertext structure Links pages to each other
  and makes it possible to take different routes
  from the home page.

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Visual design four suggestions

• Establish a consistent visual theme
• Make the navigation tools easy to use
• Resist clutter
• Create chunks of information

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The home page

• Should give an overview of the Web site
• Identify its purpose
• Summarize the information found there
• Provide links to navigate the site
• It should also send a visual message, so you need
  to select colors, images, fonts, and overall
  design carefully.

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Navigational tools

• It should be easy to move around the site and
  find information as needed.
  
• You can use a menu, icons, or words to link the
  main page to other pages however, whatever
  system you choose, use it consistently throughout
  the site.

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Navigational tools, cont.

• It is important that you make sure visitors know
  where they are while exploring the site and how
  to get back to the home page.
  
• The navigation tools on the home page are like a
  table of contents, giving an overview of the main
  topics.
  

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Student Companion Website

• Go to the student side of the Web site for
  exercises, chapter overviews, and links to
  writing resources for this chapter
  
• http//www.ablongman.com/trimbur
• Click on the textbook cover, and then select
  Student Resources.