Web Writing: Basic Guidelines and Standards

Those closest to the content should be the ones contributing to it; however, writing content for the Web can be a challenge for anyone, and a particular challenge to those tasked with content contribution who are accustomed to writing for print in an academic environment.

Here are a few tips that can help.


Know Your Audience

Who does your current website serve? Students, potential students, donors, faculty, staff, or all of the above?

If your site is geared toward several audiences, then determine which group is primary, which group is secondary and so on. Once you have your audiences identified, concentrate on your primary audience. Begin to develop or edit your content targeting it toward your most sought after users.

Review And Organize Your Content

Take a close look at your current content. What parts of that content are most important to your primary users? Again, prioritize your content into "most important", "important", and "least important" Keep the most important material as your building blocks for other content to follow. Group content into sections to organize thoughts and topics.

As content contributors, we are obligated to provide our users with the material they seek in a direct and concise manner.

Don't assume your readers have knowledge of the subject or have read related pages on your site. Clearly explain things so each page can stand on its own.

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The workshop fee and dates and times are all listed below. You should contact Betsy if you want to know if there have been any changes made. ** NO REFUNDS WILL BE GIVEN!!!! ** Workshops will be held at TMCC in the Red Mountain Building in Room 404 at TMCC beginning from 8 to 1. You may reschedule two times. Complete the application by going here. Or come by the office sometime or call Betsy. The phone number is 673-7700 and the Cost is $50. Pay to Board of Regents at the cashier with a check or money order. Dates are January 5 and November 9. TMCC Staff can get in free with id. Classes are limited so register and apply NOW! Registration closes on March 9 and NO LATE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED!

What you need to know before you apply: You will need to have the following with you when you register: your student id and number, your receipt from the cashier and your completed and SIGNED application forms.

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Workshop Information

Classes are limited and registration closes on March 9, so register now! No late applications will be accepted.

Requirements

You will need to have the following items with you to complete the registration process:

  • ID: your current student ID
  • Proof of Payment: your receipt from the TMCC Cashier's Office
  • Application: your completed and signed application form

After registering, if you are unable to attend, you may reschedule up to two times.

Dates and Locations

Workshops will be held on Jun. 5 and Nov. 9 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at TMCC in the Red Mountain Building in Room 404.

Cost

The cost for this workshop is $50. No refunds will be given. Note that workshop fees are waived for TMCC staff with proper ID. Please submit payment to Accounting Services/Cashier's Office in the form of a check or money order made payable to the Board of Regents.

Please contact us for any questions you may have.

Less Is More

Be concise. Some of us have trouble throwing things away. The compulsion to hang onto words is one of the most difficult but necessary habits to overcome when preparing web content. Web sites are not filing cabinets.

Keep in mind that most of your audience will prefer to scan your pages for needed information. By using smart headers, bulleted lists, links, graphics and text segments that know when to start and more importantly when to stop, you can give your audience the visual clues it needs to keep them on your page and consume the important information they desire.