Writing for the Web

When a person goes to a website, it's with a specific task in mind. If that person can't complete the task in a reasonable amount of time, that person will leave. Write in an inverted pyramid format to ensure that the user gets the most important information immediately, at the top of the webpage. The first paragraph should summarize the entire article.

Keep in mind that most users skim webpages in an F pattern, focusing on the top left side of the page, headings, and the first few words of a sentence or bulleted list.

Write in plain language, ideally at an eighth grade level or below, and avoid inside jargon, technical terms and legalese when everyday words can be used instead. The easiest way to do this is to write the way you talk. Communicate with the average Miami-Dade County resident in mind.

Feel free to use contractions if it comes across naturally. Don't use them wherever possible, use them wherever they sound natural. People are accustomed to hearing contractions in spoken English, and using them in writing helps readers relate to the content.

• Be precise and concise
• Choose your words carefully, leaving out unnecessary words
• Use fewer syllables
• Write short sentences
• Write short paragraphs and include only one topic in each paragraph. It's okay to write the occasional one-sentence paragraph
• Break up lots of text with bullet items and numbered lists
• Avoid block text (also known as justified text), which can be problematic for dyslexic readers and readers with attention deficit disabilities. Verbiage on a webpage should be align left

• The first paragraph of a homepage should clearly state the purpose of the site
• When linking to a document in Spanish and Creole, write "Español" and "Kreyòl"
• Don't use big words when a smaller word will do: "More" is better than "additional," "buy" is better than "purchase"
• Don't use "contact," use "call" or "email"