Module 3 - WWW Standards

Web Writing Standards

The way in which information is presented on a web page is in many ways different for traditional writing such as formal business writing or academic writing. However, some of the same principles apply. It is the aim of both to get the point across efficiently but it is the style of doing this that changes. Writing on the web can vary from site to site depending on its target audience however the following 5 tips should be followed across all web writing:

·       State your point or main topic in the first few lines: This reader does not want to read through the whole page before they understand the topic.

·       Keep the layout simple with short sentences and paragraphs.

·       Only use more formal words are emphasising meaning: otherwise stick to plain English.

·       Balance the layout of your web page. Try to evenly distribute text and images.

·       Structure is important. Use appropriate headings and bullet points.

When laying out a web page it is very important to consider balance. There are different types of balance. These are:

Symmetrical
Elements on either side of a page are the same. If you were to split the page in half vertically both sides would contain the same amount of text and images and the layout would be the same. This is used in formal web pages

Asymmetrical
If you compare two sides of a web page, the objects are different on each side.

Radial
The objects in your web page radiate out from a central point in the design.

The picture below illustrates the concept of balance: