Writing for the web
Last updated on July 18, 2023Writing for the web is different than writing for print. Content must be audience-focused, scannable and accessible across all devices.
Writing services for the web
Structure content about services so people can give or get what they need quickly.
Writing policy content for the web
Write content about legislation and policy that's easy for people to understand.
Plain Language Checklist
Refer to this checklist to make sure your writing follows plain language best practices.
Editing checklists
Always have someone else review your work before you publish it. Use these checklists for writers and editors to make sure content is ready to go.
Grammar, spelling and tone
Choose words, sentence structure and grammar that is easy to understand.
Abbreviations and acronyms
Learn to use abbreviations and acronyms in a way that makes writing easier to read instead of more complicated.
Capitalization and names
Find out when to capitalize and when not to.
Formatting
Choose the format that's right for your page. Learn about using accordions, fonts, tables, spacing and a mobile first approach.
Headings and page titles
Help people find what they're looking for by using clear headings and page titles.
Hyperlinking
People scan content for links, make sure your link text is accurate and accessible.
FAQs
Take a descriptive and topic-based approach when writing, instead of using Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Lists
Write lists that follow formatting and punctuation guidelines.
Numbers and dates
Use numbers, dates and measurements that improve readability.
Punctuation and symbols
Learn when and how to use punctuation, symbols and special characters.
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