Writing Guidelines
•
useful headings
• headings2
• first few words
• active voice
• set the context
• use lists
• imperatives
• parallelisms
• simpler words
• fragments
• descriptive links
• combine guidelines
Writing for the Web:
Combine the guidelines for powerful writing
Combining the guidelines increases their power.
Example:
How do I connect from off-campus?
If you are an MIT user connecting from off-campus you will need:
- an Athena account.
- Netscape 4.05 or higher, or Lynx on Athena.
- personal & MIT site certificates.
- to use those items marked with a "Go" button.
If you are not an MIT user:
- We regret that our vendors do not allow access for non-MIT users.
- You may still use items marked "Free, unlicensed access."
- You may use most items when you visit the MIT campus and use the public computers in the libraries.
Combined guidelines
- the heading is a question
- uses 2 lists
- uses parallelism ("if you are...")
- It's the user's question (not "What is the "Go" Service?).
- It's what you would say to someone on the telephone.