Writing Your Web Page

Course Outline

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Writing Your Web Page

The Web Is:

Hypertext. This enables you to view information in a nonlinear way.

Graphical. Most content is still text and graphics, but sound and video can be used.

Accessible. Any computer running any operating system can access the Web via a browser program and an internet connection.

Distributed. Information is dispersed across many computers worldwide.

Always changing. Content, organization, and addresses change daily at many Web sites.

Interactive. Users can jump from page to page. Forms can gather user feedback. Applications can be executed. Real-time chat sessions are possible.


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Get Organized

Think about writing a Web presentation, not just a page.

A Web presentation (or web site) is one or more Web pages linked together. There should be a consistent design and organization throughout.

A Web page is one file. Graphical images, sounds, video, etc. are  separate files that enhance your web presentation.

A home page is the first page in a Web presentation. It also is used to refer to the page your browser retrieves when you click on the HOME button.

Getting Started

Make a Plan

  1. Select a main topic.
  2. Determine the reason you want to be on the Internet.
  3. Identify the audience you want to reach.
  4. Define your goals.
  5. Specify topics and subtopics.
  6. Think about organization and navigation.
  7. Make a storyboard.

Story Boarding is a technique which was borrowed from the film making business. It allows the director to see the overall structure and plan of the film and how each individual shot will fit into and effect the movie.
It helps you to visualize the entire presentation and see how it looks prior to being completed. The storyboarding concept works quite well for developing web presentations.

Generally, it's best to keep web pages to a length of no more than two or three screenfuls.

Next, choose a look for your page. You can start by choosing a background color and text color. It's a good idea to use the same color scheme on all pages of your presentation. This helps to give your presentation a thematic unity. Keeping a similar layout will also keep a unified look and feel throughout your presentation. Try building one page, choosing background color, text color, and image placement, and use that page as a template. Other pages in your presentation can be based on that template, with minor adjustments to keep it interesting.

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Course Outline

Nancy Bryant