Writing for the Web differs from writing for print media, but not so much in the writing itself. The difference lies in how you conceive and present the information. This section includes tips on effectively writing for the Web:

• Create pages for scanning, not reading. Use frequent and specific subheads, bulleted lists, and the inverted pyramid writing style to quickly convey main ideas.
  
  
• Be brief.
  
  
• Organize information in coherent "chunks." Present information conceptually, rather than linearly, for easiest reading.
  
  
• Incorporate links into copy. Linking to separate pages with additional information keeps pages short and gives readers control over which parts of the document they read.
  
  
• Develop a keyword list. Keywords are one or multiple word combinations that describe your product and tell a search engine what information it contains.
  
  

In addition, always remember to use good grammar and punctuation. Correct grammar is essential to establishing and maintaining online credibility.

For more guidance, check out the guidelines at Usability.gov.

(Note: The U.S. Department of Justice, of which OVC is a part, does not permit the use of social media tools (e.g., blogs) in its products. Please keep this in mind when developing your e-pub.)

OVC Home | OVC Publications | Web Site Links Disclaimer | Site Map