Writing for the Web: Creating Compelling Web Content Using Words, Pictures, and Sound

by Lynda Felder

With Writing for the Web , you’ll learn everything you need to know to create effective Web content using words, pictures, and sound. Follow along as instructor and writer Lynda Felder combines easy-to-follow guidelines with photographs, lists, and tables to illustrate the key concepts behind writing nonlinear, interactive stories; creating succinct and clear copy; and working compelling images, motion graphics, and sound into your content.

Many books offer instruction on how to use software programs to build Web sites, podcasts, and illustrations. But only Writing for the Web explains when and why an author might choose an illustration over a photograph, motion graphics over text, or a slice of Beethoven’s Fifth over the sound of a bubbling brook. Focusing on storytelling techniques that work best for digital media, this book describes the essential skills and tools in a Web author’s toolbox, including a thorough understanding of grammar and style, a critical eye for photography, and an ear for just the right sound byte for a podcast.

This clearly written guide provides a fun and practical approach to Web writing that busy students and writers will be eager to learn and explore.
Take your learning even further with Lynda's companion The Web Writer's 365 prompts, collaborative exercises, games, and challenges for effective online content .

For more tips, exercises, and suggestions for teachers, check out the book’s Web site at www.write4web.com.

Genres: Nonfiction, Writing, Reference, Language, Internet, Design

192 pages, Paperback

First published October 25, 2011

About the author

Lynda Felder has been writing digital content professionally for more than 15 years. She teaches several college-level writing courses, including Web writing, and she is an active volunteer at elementary schools, where she leads storytelling and writing workshops.

Reviews

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book which is a little dated now, has an American flavour but a broad appeal to the beginning web writer. Plenty of starter exercises are provided and good advice, but I did find some generalisations and a desire to make everything more basic than perhaps is required. This reminded me of Don't Make Me Think, a book about designing websites. Keeping vocabulary appropriate to the site and reader is one point. Making bulleted lists instead of vague lines of text is another. Each chapter ends with an admonition to sit and write, practising what that chapter has told you. For those already writing web content, this won't be necessary.
Mainly I would suggest learning better English (or which ever language you use) would benefit many writers today, as many firms don't want to employ editors any more.
I don't expect seasoned writers will need much from this read, but a flick through can be useful to remind anyone of particular points.

I borrowed this book from the DBS Library. This is an unbiased review.

[Stephen Gallup · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether via posts on Facebook or entries on their own blogs, just about everybody seems to be writing for the Web now. It may be that most of the writing we do is destined for the Web.

I recall in his latter years, Kurt Vonnegut scoffed that the Internet had disproved the old claim that a million monkeys pounding on keyboards would eventually produce a work of genius. He claimed, professional curmudgeon that he was, that writings on the Net are all garbage.

That’s nonsense, of course, but writing—or more correctly, the presentation of thoughts and information—can always be improved. Lynda Felder’s book is a worthy effort to support that objective.

The first thing I like about it is the design of the printed copy. It just feels good in my hands, falls open easily, and is visually welcoming.

Some of the content feels basic to me, but that is no criticism. Literally every day, I encounter online writing that could be significantly improved by observance of this material. I have just been reading a thread for newbie/wannabe authors here on Goodreads in which people seem unaware of how to access the kind of guidance Lynda Felder provides.

Perhaps some of this could have been organized differently, and I felt that some transitions were a little jarring. But I learned a thing or two from it (and I’ve been writing professionally for a long time). My daughter, who is closer to what is probably the target audience, has also read it. Her view is that it’s a nice blend of textbook and something she would read for pleasure, i.e., it’s both informative and entertaining. Hard to top that!

[kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is all stuff that I guess wasn't yet obvious to people in 1998. Put down halfway through.

[Kelly Lynn Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book's author has an incredibly low opinion of people who read online content. Half of her advice is basically, "People don't want to read, so try not to make them." The other half of her advice is to follow AP Style, but she doesn't call it that (but that's what she's describing). I'd skip this one.

[PRJ Greenwell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of the advice within, especially that about using appropriate images to convey the message, is pretty good. However, this author, like so many other "web pundits", has this oddball idea that people's combined reading skill and patience halves the minute they get online, and all they care about are adjective-free short sentences and catchy headlines. I.e, you get a case of the dumb the moment you open a browser.

All up, this is a very slight guide that contains nothing you won't find (for free) on hundreds of web development websites. Recommended for those who prefer paper guides to other guides.

[Jean MacLeod · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. There is always something new to learn, some nugget or two. This book had plenty for me. Maybe it's old hat to a lot of readers, but as I like to pick up books from the library to expand my view on a particular subject, I wasn't disappointed. (Perhaps Ms. Felder might be after viewing the last sentence and wonder if her advice on long sentences took root. Ah well.)

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A practical guide to almost any type of writing + some tips to other content types. Lots of very useful tips for writing, like topics, style and storytelling. Useful for designers too as it touches topics like guide or tutorial writing.

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Textbook.

[Rose East · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book seems to be a really good resource for beginning writers. I found it a bit too simple as an experienced writer, but it did remind me of some things.

I take issue with some of the parts of this book, but by and all, they are just details and a matter of personal taste.

The biggest problem that I found with this book is that it really doesn't start to take off for me until the sixth chapter, almost halfway through the book. That being said, it is a fairly good read.

If you have to work with an writers who may not be trained in writing, I would suggest having them read part if not all of this book.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a great book for the novice web writer. Web content needs to be written in a different way than a book or magazine article. This 181 page book will help you understand how to write effectively for the web.

You will learn how to write succinctly and make your website visually appealing. Other basic instructions are given for working with images, videos, and sound. There is also information on writing instructions (for technical writers). The book is clearly laid out with simple (but fun) practice exercises after each chapter.

I thought writing for the Web was well written but rudimentary.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had the chance to read this as research for work. There were some good points I was able to put into a tentative style guide for writing future web content. The book is laid out well, and the language is understandable. The writing exercises and tips could also be valuable for someone getting started with writing or looking to write a blog or fiction.

Professionally, I wasn't able to use many of the tips for the type of writing I need to do, but I was able to absorb a lot of things to apply to my job as well as my own blog and creative writing hobbies.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was so-so. Some of the ideas were good, but overall I think it was written to a lower level of experience than I thought going in. It would probably be helpful for someone just starting out with writing. There were a few things that were good reminders to consider for experienced writers and experienced web authors.

[Joe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm looking for a book that will be useful for undergrads in a course on Digital Writing. Unfortunately, this is not it. Fielder recycles old handbook advice about writing succinct and clear prose, and is pretty general in what she has to say about how writers might make effective use of images, video, and sound. So, I'm still looking.

[Lizzi Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for a class. Excellent prompts and ways of getting you to think in multiple ways about writing. The last chapter is particularly helpful as it's chock full of mini "assignments" to practice different techniques and types of writing.

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book basically covered everything there is to know and learn about writing and content development for the web. Great read!

[Abbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I own an online magazine (inspirationhut.net) and this book helped heaps! I still flick through it to help me with my writing.

[Adrienne · Rating 3 out of 5]

WRITING FOR THE WEB...
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A book for beginners and for those with no web-writing experience.

Good introduction to the topic.

[Jason Machinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great primer for new and novice writers. To get the most out of this book do the chapter Challenges and Exercises.