Creating User-Friendly Links

Google returns well over 15 million search results to the technical question of how to code hyperlinks in HTML. However, a question on how link texts should be formulated, so that the reader can understand them clearly, fetches only a handful of usable tips. Even most style guides and authoring guidelines are reticent on this topic. In this article you will find tips on this rarely dealt with, though important subject for Technical Communicators.

Achtelig, Marc. indoition engineering (2005). Articles>Writing>Document Design>Hypertext

Escritura Hipertextual

La escritura hipertextual, que tiene como unidad básica el enlace y como soporte lógico el electrónico, se debe realizar de forma diferente a la escritura convencional. A los usuarios no les gusta leer en pantalla, por lo que agradecerán cuanto más les facilitemos dicha tarea. En este artículo se tratará la correcta presentación de contenidos y elementos de interacción (enlaces) en los documentos hipertextuales.

Hassan Montero, Yusef and Francisco Jesus Martin Fernandez. Nosolousabilidad.com (2003). (Spanish) Articles>Writing>Hypertext>Web Design

Hypertext as a Productivity Tool for Technical Writing  

Hypertext is a novel approach to computer-based information management based on associative indexing. The concept in general and the characteristics of typical systems are briefly reviewed. Strategies for applying hypertext techniques to the process of writing a technical document are examined. The way in which hypertext documents are used is discussed, focusing on a commonly encountered problem -- user disorientation within the document. Hypertext-based technical documents are compared and contrasted against their paper-based antecedents.

Lenarcic, John. STC Proceedings (1993). Articles>Information Design>Hypertext>Technical Writing

Link Location That Works

Where to put links on a web page? That's a standard dilemma for content writers. Best to establish a policy and make sure all writers on your site follow it. That has an added advantage of standardising the 'look' of your pages.

McAlpine, Rachel. Quality Web Content (2004). Articles>Web Design>Hypertext>Writing

Links Anwenderfreundlich Formulieren

Auf die Frage, wie Hyperlinks technisch in HTML zu formulieren sind, listet Google weit über 15 Millionen Treffer. Auf die Frage hingegen, wie die Linktexte gestaltet sein sollen, damit sie der Leser gut versteht, lassen sich brauchbare Empfehlungen an einer Hand abzählen. Auch die meisten Styleguides und Redaktionsleitfäden halten sich bei dieser Frage bedeckt. Im folgenden Beitrag finden Sie Tipps zu diesem wenig behandelten, aus Sicht der Technischen Dokumentation aber wichtigen Thema.

Achtelig, Marc. indoition engineering (2005). (German) Articles>Writing>Hypertext>Help

Providing Context for Ambiguous Link Phrases

This article demonstrates a technique that allows ambiguous link phrases to be rendered visually in a page, whilst making sense to screen readers, and other non-graphical devices, that might render the links out of context.

Lemon, Gez. Paciello Group, The (2007). Articles>Web Design>Writing>Hypertext

Providing Sequencing Cues for Non-Linear Text  

Much of the information writers provide for users is hypertext. Providing information in an online format can create an extra burden for the users—that of sequencing the information. Authors of hypertext can help users navigate online information by adding sequencing cues in the text (in addition to conventional navigation aids such as indexes and hyperlinks). The sequencing cues direct the reader to related topics using a path designed by the author. In this study, sequencing cues were found to be a viable option for users reading a particular online document for the first time.

Borgwardt, Diane M. STC Proceedings (1999). Articles>Writing>Hypertext

Teaching Hypertext Composition    

Composing hypertext documents can be an enriching path into the world of technical communication. In learning to produce hypertext, students are introduced to an important form of written composition that encompasses not only text generation, but also visual communication and information architecture. In this article, I provide a rationale for teaching hypertext composition and then some specific curricular suggestions in two parts, one for teaching beginners, and one for teaching more advanced students.

Gordon, Jay L. Technical Communication Quarterly (2005). Articles>Writing>Hypertext>Education