Writing for the Web:
Guidelines for MIT Libraries

Web Advisory Group > Writing for the Web > Writing Guidelines

Use active voice

Think in short stories (scenarios).

• Write in terms of "who does what to whom."
• Use active voice, personal pronouns, action verbs.

When users "think aloud" through a paragraph in typical academic style, they translate the passive, noun-based writing into scenarios.

No:	Yes:
An acknowledgement of the order will be issued via an e-mail message when payment is made by credit card.	If you pay by credit card, we'll send you an e-mail acknowledging your order.

Write what you would say to them if you were talking on the phone.

 

Example: How do I borrow books?

 

 

 Writing Guidelines
 useful headings |  headings2 |  first few words |  active voice
 set the context |  use lists |  imperatives |  parallelisms
 simpler words |  fragments |  descriptive links |  combine guidelines

 

  hennig@mit.edu
29 July 99