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Writing for the Web

Keeping Content Web-friendly
Studies show that Web audiences do not read text on a Web page word-for-word, but instead scan the page to find what they are looking for. Reading on a display monitor is quite a different experience than reading a paper or a book, and it is important to break up the page to allow the reader’s eye an opportunity to rest. Long blocks of text should not be used on Web pages. Instead it is best to:

  • Divide the text into logical pieces that will make the text easy to scan.
  • Keep your most important facts to the top of the page.
  • Use headings and sub-headings as appropriate.
  • Keep the language short and to the point.
  • Make sure grammar and spelling are correct.
  • Keep the language easy to understand – do not use terminology that people outside of FSU’s community might not understand.
  • Keep the tone and style of writing less formal and more casual and intimate.
  • Use links to supplement information, not replace it.
  • Give a brief summary of needed information and provide a link for more detailed information on the subject.

Three great articles on the differences between writing for print and web  

This Content Guide was developed by ITTS and inspired by Southeastern Louisiana University's Web Content Style Guidelines