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Title:
A Simple Guide to Writing for your Website
Review:
Writing for Websites might seem no different from writing for printed
publications. However, the Web is a different medium and requires a
different style of writing: attention spans are shorter, time online
is often limited and users skim-read through text.
Susannah Ross provides a step by step guide to writing for a Website.
She begins by explaining why the Web is a different medium and the
implications this holds for the author, before describing how to plan
the text of a Website and the site structure. She also covers proof
reading, editing and maintaining a site.
Chapters in the book discuss the type of language to employ and
mistakes to avoid (including over-reliance on automatic spellcheckers
and the over use of capital letters). Advice is provided on how to
layout text and use features like links, bullet points and headlines
to capture the attention of the reader.
This book is more than a simple guide to writing Websites. There are
chapters on the functions of words, grammar, sentence construction and
choosing the right words to use. The author explains different types
of words (verbs, adjectives, etc.) and provides guidance on the
effective (and correct) use of punctuation. Not only does the author
explain how to write for the Web, she provides the reader with an
understanding of how language functions and therefore how to improve
the clarity of your writing.
The book is easy to follow and tables and figures provide useful
illustrations throughout, including some from Websites readers will be
familiar with. Usefully, each chapter starts with a brief description
of the points it cover and ends with a summary.
If like me you have previously written the text of Websites and
sometimes wondered if your English grammar skills were lacking, or if
you are preparing to write the text of a Website and need guidance on
where to start, this is a useful little book to have on your desk.
Free Pint Reviewer:
The book's author is a Free Pint Regular
<http://www.freepint.com/go/r30082> and a former BBC Journalist. She
now offers training in business writing and writing for Websites
<http://www.selectideas.co.uk/ross>.
Duncan Parry is a directory editor for Lycos UK, responsible for
Computers, Technology, Internet and Telecommunications.
<http://www.lycos.co.uk/>. He also provides freelance site design and
writing services <http://www.digitalstrike.co.uk>.
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