{"id":2616,"date":"2020-06-24T16:50:12","date_gmt":"2020-06-24T16:50:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/?post_type=chapter&p=2616"},"modified":"2020-06-26T20:18:33","modified_gmt":"2020-06-26T20:18:33","slug":"types-of-writing-on-the-web-web-pages-using-hyperlinks","status":"web-only","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/chapter\/types-of-writing-on-the-web-web-pages-using-hyperlinks\/","title":{"raw":"Web Pages: Using Hyperlinks","rendered":"Web Pages: Using Hyperlinks"},"content":{"raw":"

Click Here to Learn More about Hyperlinks<\/h2>\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n\r\nOne of the most common mistakes that new web writers make is using the \u201cclick here to . . .<\/span>\u201d hyperlink.\r\n\r\nConsider the following example:\u00a0As reported at Endgaget, the buzz this week on tech news sites is Apple\u2019s \u201ciPhone tracking software.\u201d Using data from cell phone towers and wifi networks, iOS constantly stores the phone owners location in an unencrypted file on the phone.\u00a0<\/span>Click here to learn more<\/a>.<\/span>\r\n\r\nWell, duh! Because Internet users know that that if they click links, the browser will take them to another web page, it\u2019s redundant to say \u201cclick here.\u201d That\u2019s why the words are underlined and a different color than the rest of the text. Here\u2019s a quick fix:\r\n\r\nAs reported at Endgaget, the buzz this week on tech news sites is Apple\u2019s \u201ciPhone tracking software.\u201d Using data from cell phone towers and wifi networks, iOS constantly stores the phone owners location in an unencrypted file on the phone.\u00a0<\/span>Learn more<\/a>.<\/span>\r\n\r\nUse Contextual Hyperlinks<\/span>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n\r\nMost people won\u2019t click on a link unless you let them know why they should bother. Let\u2019s consider the previous example of the post about the iPhone. Where you put the link can let the reader know whether you\u2019re just citing it as a source. If you put it at the very end, it usually signifies either that it\u2019s your main source of information and that users should click it to learn more.\r\n\r\nFor example, a company who puts a press release on the Web featuring a new product might add a \u201clearn more\u201d link at the end pointing to a product page on their website. The company wants you to read the press release first, then follow the link.\r\n\r\nHowever, in many texts, we can better assist readers by putting the links in context, by linking to something meaningful in the text. Using contextual links, we can create effective transitions for the reader to the next web text, and we better connect the texts we write to those on other web pages.\r\n\r\nHere are two different revisions of the previous example that illustrate this concept:<\/strong>\r\n
\r\n\r\nAs reported at Endgaget<\/a>, the buzz this week on tech news sites is Apple\u2019s \u201ciPhone tracking software.\u201d Using data from cell phone towers and wifi networks, iOS constantly stores the phone owners location in an unencrypted file on the phone.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
As reported at Endgaget, the buzz this week on tech news sites is Apple\u2019s \u201c<\/span>iPhone tracking software<\/a>.\u201d Using data from cell phone towers and wifi networks, iOS constantly stores the phone owners location in an unencrypted file on the phone.<\/span><\/div>\r\nIn the first example, the link is emphasizing where you got the information and where readers should go to learn more about it. The second example emphasizes what the link is about.<\/strong> Since you mentioned Engadget earlier in the sentence, users will probably realize the link will go there. But it could also go to a Wikipedia definition or to a link on Apple\u2019s apps store. In any case, the meaning of the two is slightly different. One provides direct indication of where the reader will go on the web (revision 1), and the other indicates to the reader what will be learned (revision 2). If you\u2019re reporting news or items from another blog or website, it\u2019s typical to put a link to the original source in the text.<\/span>\r\n

Yes. There Are Punctuation Rules for Hyperlinks<\/h2>\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n\r\nJust as with other types of writing, punctuation has a role in creating hyperlinks:\r\n\r\nExclude ending punctuation from hyperlinks.<\/strong>\u00a0When hyperlinking text that has punctuation immediately following it, we recommend that you do not include the punctuation in the hyperlink. Consider again this example:\r\n
\r\n\r\nAs reported at Endgaget<\/a>, the buzz this week on tech news sites is Apple\u2019s \u201ciPhone tracking software.\u201d Using data from cell phone towers and wifi networks, iOS constantly stores the phone owners location in an unencrypted file on the phone.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\nSee how the comma following Endgaget is not included in the hyperlink?<\/strong> <\/em>Do the same thing if hyperlinking text at the end of a sentence followed by a period; don\u2019t include the period in the hyperlink either.\r\n\r\nLeave off quotes and italics from titles in hyperlinked text in prose.<\/strong>\u00a0Another style rule that we recommend involves hyperlinked titles. Bloggers and other social media writers will often include the title of another post or web page in their writing, and then link that title to the original web page. When doing so, be sure to capitalize the title, but do not include quotations as you would in print with smaller works (e.g. a blog post title or news article) or italics with larger works (e.g., a website title). Here\u2019s an example using a modified version of the Endgaget post:\r\n
As reported in\u00a0<\/span>The iPhone Tracking Fiasco and What You Can Do About It<\/a>, the buzz this week on tech news sites is Apple\u2019s \u201ciPhone tracking software.\u201d Using data from cell phone towers and wifi networks, iOS constantly stores the phone owners location in an unencrypted file on the phone.<\/span><\/div>\r\nYes. This is contrary to what writers do in print where quotations and italics are added to emphasize that the text is a title of a work, and whether it is a small or large work. In web writing, the formatting for the hyperlink will emphasize the title that you have already capitalized. The reader can click the link and immediately see what kind of work it is; adding quotes or italics adds unnecessary additional emphasis.\r\n\r\nEXCEPTION:<\/strong>\u00a0if you include a bibliography in your web writing, you should follow the conventions for punctuating titles in the citation format you adopt for your references, whether or not you chose to hyperlink the title of a reference that is also available online.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n
\r\n\r\nWEB WRITING STYLE GUIDE\r\n
\r\n\r\nVersion 1.0,\u00a0June 2011<\/em>\r\n\r\nEdited by Matt Barton, James Kalmbach, and Charles Lowe<\/em>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"

Click Here to Learn More about Hyperlinks<\/h2>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

One of the most common mistakes that new web writers make is using the \u201cclick here to . . .<\/span>\u201d hyperlink.<\/p>\n

Consider the following example:\u00a0As reported at Endgaget, the buzz this week on tech news sites is Apple\u2019s \u201ciPhone tracking software.\u201d Using data from cell phone towers and wifi networks, iOS constantly stores the phone owners location in an unencrypted file on the phone.\u00a0<\/span>Click here to learn more<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Well, duh! Because Internet users know that that if they click links, the browser will take them to another web page, it\u2019s redundant to say \u201cclick here.\u201d That\u2019s why the words are underlined and a different color than the rest of the text. Here\u2019s a quick fix:<\/p>\n

As reported at Endgaget, the buzz this week on tech news sites is Apple\u2019s \u201ciPhone tracking software.\u201d Using data from cell phone towers and wifi networks, iOS constantly stores the phone owners location in an unencrypted file on the phone.\u00a0<\/span>Learn more<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Use Contextual Hyperlinks<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Most people won\u2019t click on a link unless you let them know why they should bother. Let\u2019s consider the previous example of the post about the iPhone. Where you put the link can let the reader know whether you\u2019re just citing it as a source. If you put it at the very end, it usually signifies either that it\u2019s your main source of information and that users should click it to learn more.<\/p>\n

For example, a company who puts a press release on the Web featuring a new product might add a \u201clearn more\u201d link at the end pointing to a product page on their website. The company wants you to read the press release first, then follow the link.<\/p>\n

However, in many texts, we can better assist readers by putting the links in context, by linking to something meaningful in the text. Using contextual links, we can create effective transitions for the reader to the next web text, and we better connect the texts we write to those on other web pages.<\/p>\n

Here are two different revisions of the previous example that illustrate this concept:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\n

As reported at Endgaget<\/a>, the buzz this week on tech news sites is Apple\u2019s \u201ciPhone tracking software.\u201d Using data from cell phone towers and wifi networks, iOS constantly stores the phone owners location in an unencrypted file on the phone.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

As reported at Endgaget, the buzz this week on tech news sites is Apple\u2019s \u201c<\/span>iPhone tracking software<\/a>.\u201d Using data from cell phone towers and wifi networks, iOS constantly stores the phone owners location in an unencrypted file on the phone.<\/span><\/div>\n

In the first example, the link is emphasizing where you got the information and where readers should go to learn more about it. The second example emphasizes what the link is about.<\/strong> Since you mentioned Engadget earlier in the sentence, users will probably realize the link will go there. But it could also go to a Wikipedia definition or to a link on Apple\u2019s apps store. In any case, the meaning of the two is slightly different. One provides direct indication of where the reader will go on the web (revision 1), and the other indicates to the reader what will be learned (revision 2). If you\u2019re reporting news or items from another blog or website, it\u2019s typical to put a link to the original source in the text.<\/span><\/p>\n

Yes. There Are Punctuation Rules for Hyperlinks<\/h2>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Just as with other types of writing, punctuation has a role in creating hyperlinks:<\/p>\n

Exclude ending punctuation from hyperlinks.<\/strong>\u00a0When hyperlinking text that has punctuation immediately following it, we recommend that you do not include the punctuation in the hyperlink. Consider again this example:<\/p>\n

\n

As reported at Endgaget<\/a>, the buzz this week on tech news sites is Apple\u2019s \u201ciPhone tracking software.\u201d Using data from cell phone towers and wifi networks, iOS constantly stores the phone owners location in an unencrypted file on the phone.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

See how the comma following Endgaget is not included in the hyperlink?<\/strong> <\/em>Do the same thing if hyperlinking text at the end of a sentence followed by a period; don\u2019t include the period in the hyperlink either.<\/p>\n

Leave off quotes and italics from titles in hyperlinked text in prose.<\/strong>\u00a0Another style rule that we recommend involves hyperlinked titles. Bloggers and other social media writers will often include the title of another post or web page in their writing, and then link that title to the original web page. When doing so, be sure to capitalize the title, but do not include quotations as you would in print with smaller works (e.g. a blog post title or news article) or italics with larger works (e.g., a website title). Here\u2019s an example using a modified version of the Endgaget post:<\/p>\n

As reported in\u00a0<\/span>The iPhone Tracking Fiasco and What You Can Do About It<\/a>, the buzz this week on tech news sites is Apple\u2019s \u201ciPhone tracking software.\u201d Using data from cell phone towers and wifi networks, iOS constantly stores the phone owners location in an unencrypted file on the phone.<\/span><\/div>\n

Yes. This is contrary to what writers do in print where quotations and italics are added to emphasize that the text is a title of a work, and whether it is a small or large work. In web writing, the formatting for the hyperlink will emphasize the title that you have already capitalized. The reader can click the link and immediately see what kind of work it is; adding quotes or italics adds unnecessary additional emphasis.<\/p>\n

EXCEPTION:<\/strong>\u00a0if you include a bibliography in your web writing, you should follow the conventions for punctuating titles in the citation format you adopt for your references, whether or not you chose to hyperlink the title of a reference that is also available online.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

WEB WRITING STYLE GUIDE<\/p>\n

\n

Version 1.0,\u00a0June 2011<\/em><\/p>\n

Edited by Matt Barton, James Kalmbach, and Charles Lowe<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":274624,"menu_order":6,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[]","CANDELA_OUTCOMES_GUID":"","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-2616","chapter","type-chapter","status-web-only","hentry"],"part":2585,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/2616","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/274624"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/2616\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2651,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/2616\/revisions\/2651"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/2585"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/2616\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2616"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=2616"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=2616"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-newpaltz-engcomp1\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=2616"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}