Web Writing Techniques

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION

Delivering information on a website involves not only good writing but also good thinking.

This one-day workshop focuses on the thinking process behind an easy-to-read electronic document. In addition, participants will explore the reading habits of the people who land on their site and will learn organizational techniques to keep their attention and maintain “stickyness.”

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

• Anyone who must write, edit, or update pages on a website

PARTICIPANTS WILL LEARN TO:

• Keep the readers’ interest on a computer screen
• Understand the differences between writing for paper and writing for monitors
• Identify the appropriate contents
• Organize information for an electronic reader
• Use plain language writing techniques

COURSE OUTLINE

Introduction

• How print and web documents differ
• Three features of good web writing

Readers of Web Documents

• How people read electronic documents
• What readers want: scan ability, conciseness and objectivity
• 3 types of readers: viewers, users, and readers

Writing Style

• 7 techniques for scan ability
• 7 steps for concise writing
• Words  and phrases to avoid
• A rating scale for web pages

Search Engines

• 5 techniques for generating search engine traffic

Organizing Information

• Print versus web documents
• Pyramid approach
• Straight-line logic approach

METHODS TO BE USED:

This workshop is highly interactive with participants involved in individual and group exercises and discussions.  Key points are based on the studies of experts, e.g., John Morkes, Jakob Nielsen and Crawford Killian.

Participants are required to bring material with them to turn into a web based document during the session.