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Writing for the Web Workbook

You know usability is important - but what do you DO?

You can learn to structure information so people can find it, use it, and appreciate the experience.

Info.Design recognizes that many books that provide theory and classes that help us learn concepts. Seldom are they brought together in a format that enables us to articulate and apply these concepts. Writing for the Web: Structuring Information with the User in Mind accomplishes both goals.

What You Will Gain

By using this workbook you will be able to:

• Discover why the Web is different from other media
  
• Explain how our performance goals necessitate performance-structured text
  
• Build a foundation based on what people want to do
  
• Learn why web writing is visual writing and how you can reduce clutter to help people get their jobs done
  
• Learn strategies and techniques for presenting information and crafting usable text
  
• Identify guidelines for testing your Web structure and text
  
• Identify strategies for articulating value to others

Module Details

Introduction: The work world is made up of users of information. Our goal is to structure information so people can find it, use it, and enjoy the experience. This introductory module previews the workbook structure and establishes a framework for thinking about writing for the Web.

Module 1: Define the Problem. The Web and other electronic media can be challenging to users of information. We must begin to refocus our writing based on what users want. In this module, we are introduced to the importance of a user's perceptions, successful wayfinding, and accessibility to information.

Module 2: Create a User-Focused Foundation. Module 2 emphasizes the importance of planning for Web writing. A user-focused foundation enables you to create successful and effective Web documents by keeping the users' needs paramount in the creative process.

Module 3: Enable Visual Thinking. Web writing is visual writing. When we construct Web pages with the user in mind, we have to be cognizant of how people view electronic information, and how we can reduce visual clutter to support them in getting their jobs done.

Module 4: Structure Content. This module relates the benefits of thorough structure-building in the early phases of design and how it leads to the overall success of a website. It illustrates the processes you should follow in gathering, evaluating, chunking, and organizing information.

Module 5: Apply User-Focused Strategies. This module defines strategies and techniques for presenting information to users. It includes guidelines for page design that supports the users' understanding.

Module 6: Craft Usable Text. This module provides guidelines for writing clear, concise, and cohesive text. It includes research-based guidelines for Web writing and focuses on each "facet" of the writing process.

Module 7: Test Our Test. This module provides guidelines for testing your Web design with users. It presents four methods for testing categories and labels.

Module 8: Ensure Quality Experience. We know that well-structured information is valuable. With the right tools and the right approach, you can enlist your organization's support of users' needs.

Order the Writing for the Web workbook.