words matter: writing for the web darlene fichter data library coordinator, u of s library january...
TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
WWW: Writing for the Wired World
Words Matter: Writing for the Web
Darlene Fichter
Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library
January 30, 2004
![Page 2: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Overview
Writing & Reading for the WebDo’s & Don’ts
– Format– Scanning– Style– Language– Jargon
![Page 3: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Reading & writing
Goal is to communicate– Strategy– Key messages– Your audience
![Page 4: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Rule #1 Write for the way your user's read
How do people read on the screen?– Top to bottom– Left to right– Focus first on the micro-content – Scroll to the bottom– Only after failing
- side menu- top menu
12
3
![Page 5: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
People read
25% slower on the screen Find Arial or Times Roman fonts at 12 pt the
most legible
![Page 6: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Reading slower: implications for style
Be succinctPyramid style (newspaper)Scanning – lists, lists and more listsLooks a lot like PowerPoint
![Page 7: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
5 tips
1. Strike out useless words. 2. Avoid noun sandwiches. 3. Use “you”. 4. Cut out redundancies. 5. Use simple, short words.6. Avoid all uppercase words.
•commercial document delivery services
![Page 8: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Instead of Use concerning about forward send in order to to facilitate help strategy plan access (as a verb) get, assist assistance help, aid construct build in the event of if
![Page 9: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Research shows: DON’T read
People who are looking for information don’t read, they scan.
If they have to read instructions or help page most people won’t.
![Page 10: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
![Page 11: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
![Page 12: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
“Scanability”
HeadingsListsCreate “zones” or areas with blocks of colorUse links
![Page 13: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Effective headings
Set styles and stick to themBe consistent
– use font and/or color to offset headings
![Page 14: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Lists, lists and more lists
Lists are quick to scanDo not use complete sentences in lists
![Page 15: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
Anatomy
Biology
Biotechnology
Chemistry
Microbiology
Physics
Zoology
Which is easiest to read? Anatomy
Biology
Biotechnology
Chemistry
Microbiology
Physics
Zoology
Anatomy Biology Biotechnology Chemistry Microbiology Physics Zoology
1. White space 2. Bullets 3. Neither
![Page 16: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Which is faster? Why?
Books
Art
Journals
History
Geography
Mathematics
Subjects Format
Art Books
Geography Journals
History Maps
Mathematics
1 2
![Page 17: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Organizing content for viewing
In columns, not rowsCategorical not alphabetical
![Page 18: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Links that work
Make the links in your text meaningfulMake visited and unvisited links contrast with
the base font color.
![Page 19: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Example of scanning
How to Find Information
1. Search the catalogue
2. Browse by subject
3. For e-books, click here
4. Visit our list of web resources
5. Recommended web sites on Sociology
![Page 20: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Hypertext: classic mistakes
No followed link colorLinks are not underlinedOverused – everything is a linkSelf referential - To start the tour, click here.
![Page 21: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
Use links wisely
Hypertext is powerful but can also be distracting
Links can help reduce clutter by moving information to separate Web pages
But when concentrating on content, people often ignore embedded links
![Page 22: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Create links that don’t need to be followed
Use long descriptive links, captions, or headings so users can eliminate choices
UIE’s research shows that links with 4 to 9 words are more effective
![Page 23: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
Review what we know:
1. Writing
2. Scanning
3. Links
![Page 24: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
Tour
Some sites– Jot down notes / opinions about the ability to
scan and find words quickly– If you focus on the writing and content which are
the strengths and weaknesses?
![Page 25: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
![Page 26: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/26.jpg)
![Page 27: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/27.jpg)
![Page 28: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/28.jpg)
![Page 29: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/29.jpg)
![Page 30: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/30.jpg)
Language
Use the language of your usersAmbiguity is a problemProvide context
![Page 31: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/31.jpg)
Classic mistakes on library sites
Library sites are full of jargon–WinSPIRS
–EbscoHost
–Access
–Database
–Gateway
–Services
–Electronic Reserves
![Page 32: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/32.jpg)
“Serial failure”
Finding articlesMany studies
– Don’t know “database”– Names of database– Software product – Ovid, Webspirs
![Page 33: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/33.jpg)
![Page 34: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/34.jpg)
![Page 35: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/35.jpg)
![Page 36: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/36.jpg)
![Page 37: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/37.jpg)
![Page 38: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/38.jpg)
Labels are challengingTesting helpsUse a “cookie test”Create a list of possible
labels:– My Account– Borrower Information– Library Card– Your Library Card
![Page 39: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/39.jpg)
Go where your users are
Your lunch room or hallways at lunch breakAim for cross-sectionAsk which they prefer
Reverse Study: Take a few concepts and ask them what they would call the item or group of items?
![Page 40: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/40.jpg)
Other important writing tasks
Errors– Should stand out from other text – Should be comprehensible
404 not found ?
![Page 41: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/41.jpg)
Things to avoid
“Marketese”– Anything that sounds like “advertising” is a
complete turn off … the best, the biggest …
![Page 42: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/42.jpg)
The “Buzz”: reusability
Write once, use many timesDevice independent accessBreak content in small nuggetsAssemble to suit
– Web Pages
– WAP
– Headline Services
– Alerts
![Page 43: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/43.jpg)
Myths & ironies
Everyone owns a “printing press”Explosion of publishingDirth of “good writing”Need good writers’ that can create concise
and interesting headlines
![Page 44: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/44.jpg)
Secret to good wired writing
Observe and learnWrite oftenRevise, revise and reviseRead the usability studies and research
reports
![Page 45: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/45.jpg)
Good news for librarians
Some of it comes naturally– Group and categorize– Assign labels– Think about words & meaning– Service oriented
![Page 46: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/46.jpg)
Sites for web writing
Writing for the Web – Jakob Nielsen http://www.useit.com/papers/webwriting/
Good Documents: How to write for the INTRAnethttp://www.gooddocuments.com/
Yale’s Web Style Guide: Editorial http://info.med.yale.edu/caim/manual/pages/editorial_style.html
Software Usability Research Laboratory Newsletterhttp://www.usabilitynews.org
National Cancer Institute Usability.gov http://www.usability.gov/
![Page 47: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/47.jpg)
Books, columns & sites
Writing and Usability– http://library.usask.ca/~fichter/writing/
![Page 48: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/48.jpg)
Thank you!
Questions?
Darlene Fichter University of Saskatchewan Libraries
library.usask.ca/~fichter/
![Page 49: Words Matter: Writing for the Web Darlene Fichter Data Library Coordinator, U of S Library January 30, 2004](https://reader035.vdocument.in/reader035/viewer/2022070406/56649de95503460f94ae481c/html5/thumbnails/49.jpg)