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Web Style Guide
What's different about creating for the Web?
Introduction Writing for the Web is vastly different than writing for print. The first paragraph must speak quickly and forcefully to the reader while summarizing the information to follow. It's a less formal medium, too; Web articles often speak with a more individual voice and are more colloquial as a result. At Drury we relax some style rules to accommodate the needs of the Web. Before continuing, we encourage you to at least skim the Print Style Guide. The Web guide focuses on how Web style is different from Drury's print style. In general, Web style accepts more abbreviations and other devices to minimize the number of pixels it takes to express an idea. If you have questions or want advice, call the Office of University Communications at 873-7228 or the Web Office at 873-6895. Back to top References
Drury style is based on current editions of:
The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law
The Chicago Manual of Style
Webster's New World Collegiate Dictionary Other than a few pages in the 2000 revision of the AP guide, there are no authoritative references on Web style or usage. Depending on your project, you may want to consult: Wired Style: Principles of English Usage in the Digital Age
Jargon Watch: A Pocket Dictionary for the Jitterati
The Microsoft Manual of Style for Technical Publications For guidance in writing for the Web effectively, try: How Users Read on the Web
Good Documents
Writing for the Web
Sun Microsystems Booklet, Writing for the Web
Web Writing for Many Interest Levels
Writing Effective Web Pages
Writing for the Web and Creating Effective Online Content
Online Citation Styles
Beware of treading ground so new that your audience can't follow where you're trying to go! Back to top Copyright Concerns
Even though it's much easier to copy what you want, information, images and intellectual property found on the Internet are still protected by law. Some Web site policies allow visitors to make one copy for personal use; very few allow unauthorized duplication of anything most of us would consider valuable. The bottom line: don't copy without permission! This means:
Do not copy that cool image and use it in a PowerPoint presentation, a brochure or on your site.
Do not copy and paste text.
Do not share copyrighted materials like music. For additional information, consult the Drury copyright policy or call the Web Office at 873-6895. Together with the Office of University Communications they have developed release forms so materials can be used legally. Back to top
Numbers and Times
All numbers are written with numerals, even numbers less than 10:
9 of 23 freshmen are blondes. EXCEPTION: If a sentence starts with a number, please spell it out:
Fifteen students participated in the SIFE event. Numerals are used for grades:
1st grade, 2nd grade; not first grade, second grade. Periods are used in "a.m." and "p.m." and day names are spelled out:
The meeting is Thursday at 11 a.m. Back to top Academic Degrees
For clarity, please follow print style in academic degrees. Back to top Capitalization
The informal nature of the World Wide Web means that proper nouns often lose their capitalization. Try to avoid doing so. In particular, note that Associated Press style calls for:
Internet
World Wide Web
the Web
the Net While Web style is more informal, it is not acceptable to forego capitalization entirely, as often happens during online chats or in e-mail. When writing content for the Web, capitalize the first word of a sentence and the first person pronoun "I." Back to top Abbreviations
In all cases, focus on making your meaning clear. Assuming you can meet that goal, words that would not be abbreviated in print may be abbreviated online, especially compass directions and thoroughfares. Use postal abbreviations for states. Words that are abbreviated in spoken English may be abbreviated online. Even as you abbreviate, retain proper capitalization:
N. Jefferson St.
St. Louis, MO
Las Vegas, NV
Want info?
This week's Convo speaker Ampersands (&) are also much more common, and more widely acceptable:
American Lit & Culture Back to top Titles For the Web, quotes should only be used when actually quoting a person, for clarity and because quotation marks add more characters to a page. For that reason, accepted print style does not apply online. Instead, all works should be italicized:
Of Mice and Men
Star Wars
My Favorite Martian
Turandot Back to top Questions?
Office of University Communications: 873-7228, Burnham 103
Web Office: 873-6895, Burnham 204 Back to top
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