Editorial Style
Adopt a writing style that is clear and to the point
In The Elements of Style, William Strunk and E. B. White encourage writers to "use definite, specific, concrete language" and make "every word tell." There are few areas where this approach is more necessary than on the Web. As we have already established, most Web readers skim a page to form an overview of the content or to locate the specific word or phrase that corresponds to the information they are seeking. Nothing impedes this process more than vague, verbose language and meaningless prose. In general, Web users appreciate a writing style that uses the fewest words necessary to give a clear picture of the content and functions of a page.
The areas where clarity is most crucial are labeling and instructions—the elements that guide users through the functions of a page. Navigation is not a place for unclear language—link labels must be self-explanatory to guide users to their destination. Clarity in form labels is important, too. Ambiguous form labels lead to incorrect data. In general, all instructions should use clear and concise language.
Clear writing requires a discipline that few writers possess. Expressing a concept in a sentence or two is far more difficult than in a paragraph or page. However, clear writing is beneficial to usability and worth the extra effort.