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Sub-headings make the text more scannable.
Your readers will move to the section of the document that is most useful for them, and sub-headings make it easier for them to do this.
Include only what users want and need.
How?
Avoid the passive voice.
Write what you would say to them if you were talking on the phone.
For example, instead of:
An acknowledgement of the order will be issued via an email message when payment is completed.
Use:
You will receive an email from us confirming your order.
Please remember not to use "click here" for your links.
"Click here" says nothing – it doesn't reach out and grab your readers and make them want to click on the link.
According to the W3C Quality Assurance Team, links should:
Links are another way web readers scan pages.
They stand out from normal text, and provide more cues as to what the page is about.
Make sure that the text for your links indicates where the links will lead your website visitors.
Don’t post another site’s content on your site – link to the original source instead.
Why?
Typos and spelling errors may send people away from your pages.
Make sure you carefully proofread everything you post to the web. As a final check, read it out loud - good writing flows.
During the editing process, ask yourself, “How can I say the same thing in fewer words?”
People don’t have time to read a long block of text. Out of respect for your intended audience, practice making your writing short and sweet.
Sentences should be as concise as you can make them.
Use only the words you need to get the essential information across.
Make sure you don’t use words, expressions, or abbreviations that visitors won’t understand.
Spell things out as often as you need to – and don’t worry about repetition.
Define abbreviations at the top of every web page where the abbreviation is used – website visitors could land directly on any web page via search.
Think of an inverted pyramid when you write.
Get to the point in the first paragraph, then expand upon it.
Even highly educated people read simpler words faster.
Instead of this: |
Try this: |
---|---|
obtain |
get |
prior to |
before |
purchase |
buy |
request |
ask for |
subsequent |
next |
terminate |
end |
utilize |
use |
Edit before you publish. Edit after you see it online. Edit again next week.
Keep asking yourself:
Web pages need to be concise and to-the-point.
People don't read web pages, they scan them, so having short, meaty paragraphs is better than long rambling ones.
Lists are easier to scan than paragraphs, especially if you keep them short.
A number of campus resources are in place to help support and improve your web experience.
You can submit a request for support.
See also campus resources, guidelines and policies.
Web Resources Site Feedback - We'd love to hear from you!
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is centralized within our Office of Indigenous Relations.