Expanded Table of Contents (TOC): Writing Effectively Online

Writing Effectively Online: How to Compose Hypertext

Expanded Table of Contents

My purpose: To help you quickly grasp hypertext concepts in order to write effectively online. The theory and practical tips offered here explain how to compose high-quality hypertext that readers will find easy to read and navigate.

The focus here is online textual content, not Web page design.

Two topics ("Why create links?" and "What style of writing works online?") provide most of the practical tips and examples on writing effectively online.

To proceed linearly through all the topics, click on the [Next] links on each page.

Introduction

What is hypertext?

Ideal Uses for Hypertext
Hypertext Usability to Measure Effectiveness
Definitions of Hypertext, Hypermedia, and Multimedia

How do hypertext documents differ from print documents?

Screen Reading Problems
Differences in Organization
Hypertext Reconfigures Text, Reader, and Writer

How does hypertext authoring differ from print authoring?

Hypertext Requires Its Own Rhetoric
New Skills for Hypertext Writers
New Strategies Since Hypertext Structures Cannot Be Easily Imagined

How can hypertext documents be organized?

Organizing by Hierarchy
Organizing by Web
Organizing by Sequence
Organizing by Grid
Choosing the Best Organizational Strategy
Creating Meaningful Metaphors

Why create links?

General Linking Strategies
Link Density Issues and Tips
Tips for Writing Link Text

What style of writing works online?

Create Short, Self-Contained Topics
Chunk the Text
Keep Paragraphs Short
Write Simply and Directly
Rethink Notions of Transitional, Linear Writing
Apply a Consistent, Transparent Style
Make the Text Scannable
Ensure Accurate Reading
Quick Online Writing Tips
Common Pitfalls

For more information about writing online:

Check out my references for this paper

Review my annotated list of Web and print resources

[Brief TOC] [Printer-Friendly Version] [Webfolio]

[Next]: Introduction

Comments? Please email me!

Last Updated: May 2, 2001

(c)2000 by Alysson Troffer. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce or redistribute any material from this document, in whole or in part, without written permission.


			Writing Effectively Online: How to Compose Hypertext
			Writing Effectively Online: How to Compose Hypertext

	Expanded Table of Contents
	My purpose: To help you quickly grasp hypertext concepts in order to write effectively online. The theory and practical tips offered here explain how to compose high-quality hypertext that readers will find easy to read and navigate. The focus here is online textual content, not Web page design. Two topics ("Why create links?" and "What style of writing works online?") provide most of the practical tips and examples on writing effectively online. To proceed linearly through all the topics, click on the [Next] links on each page.
	Introduction What is hypertext? Ideal Uses for Hypertext Hypertext Usability to Measure Effectiveness Definitions of Hypertext, Hypermedia, and Multimedia How do hypertext documents differ from print documents? Screen Reading Problems Differences in Organization Hypertext Reconfigures Text, Reader, and Writer How does hypertext authoring differ from print authoring? Hypertext Requires Its Own Rhetoric New Skills for Hypertext Writers New Strategies Since Hypertext Structures Cannot Be Easily Imagined How can hypertext documents be organized? Organizing by Hierarchy Organizing by Web Organizing by Sequence Organizing by Grid Choosing the Best Organizational Strategy Creating Meaningful Metaphors Why create links? General Linking Strategies Link Density Issues and Tips Tips for Writing Link Text What style of writing works online? Create Short, Self-Contained Topics Chunk the Text Keep Paragraphs Short Write Simply and Directly Rethink Notions of Transitional, Linear Writing Apply a Consistent, Transparent Style Make the Text Scannable Ensure Accurate Reading Quick Online Writing Tips Common Pitfalls For more information about writing online: Check out my references for this paper Review my annotated list of Web and print resources [Brief TOC] [Printer-Friendly Version] [Webfolio] [Next]: Introduction Comments? Please email me! Last Updated: May 2, 2001 (c)2000 by Alysson Troffer. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce or redistribute any material from this document, in whole or in part, without written permission.