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Introduction

Layer the Details

Less is More

Chunking the Content

Writing Guidelines

Design Hints

Further Resources

Writing for the Web:

Writing Guidelines (useful for email & print as well)

1. Call attention with useful headings.
2. Catch the user in the first few words.
3. Use active voice, personal pronouns, action verbs.
   (what you would say to them if you were talking on the phone)
4. Set the context for users - the "given/new" principle.
5. Use lists. (numbered lists for instructions)
6. Give instructions with imperatives.
7. Use parallelisms.
8. User words users know (simpler words).
9. Try fragments, but not telegraphic writing.
10. Make links descriptive.
11. Combine the guidelines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  hennig@mit.edu