Simply Smart: Web Writing with Users in Mind

Simply Smart: Web Writing with Users in Mind

Samantha Barry

Rebecca Blakiston

#edUi_smart

How users read on the web

We visit websites for

information.

How much is tuition?

When do I register for classes?

Can I checkout a laptop?

The usability of your web writing is

important.

Users scan information.

Make your content accessible.

Writing for usabilityWriting for usability

Use conversational style.

Use conversational style.

Use conversational style.

Relax.

Relax.

Relax.

Be direct and simple.

Be direct and simple.

Jargon Simple language

Interlibrary loan Borrowing from other libraries

Periodical databases Articles

Pathfinders Research by topic

Databases Finding an article

Library catalog Finding a book

Before

Learn how find print, electronic, and multimedia resources.

After

Before

After

Be trust-worthy.

Organizing copy

Include only what is

necessary.

Before

After

Instructionsmust die.

Use

meaningful headersto create

structure.

Before

After

Use the power of parallelism.

Don’t hide linksin paragraphs of text.

Use links wisely.

Use tables for organizing related content.

Use numbers for steps in a process.

Share your love forweb writing

Give staff guidance.

Requestor talks to provider

Provider talks to Content Manager

Content Manager creates the page

Reviewer edits the page

Publisher launches the page

Ensure consistency.

Questions?

Samantha Barrysamantha.l.barry@gmail.com

@az_barry

Rebecca Blakistonblakistonr@u.library.arizona.edu

@blakistonr