The Internet Writer's Handbook [Spiral-bound]

Martha C. Sammons (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0205287840 | ISBN-13: 978-0205287840 | Publication Date: August 15, 1999 | Edition: 1st

The Internet Writer's Handbook is an easily accessible, vital reference tool in the age of electronic communication: it teaches how to write well on-line. Too often, writers attempt to create Web pages by simply using the same techniques they use for print documents; The Internet Writer's Handbook offers those writers specific advice on writing and designing on-line hypertext documents. In addition to entries on HTML elements, researching on the Internet, e-mail style, and other such contemporary topics, the Handbook places unique emphasis on online writing techniques. The book includes up-to-the-minute research on online help, hypertext, Web page design, concise writing techniques, usability testing, interface design, and Web sites. Reflecting the author's extensive experience as a consultant in business and technical writing, this handbook will appeal to anyone who needs help in creating a Web page.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

T8784-5, 0-205-28784-0, Sammons, Martha C. (Wright State University), THE INTERNET WRITER'S HANDBOOK, 5.5 x 8.5, paperbound, 224 pp., $22.00 K, HA02 * /

The Internet Writer's Handbook is an easily accessible, vital reference tool in the age of electronic communication: it teaches how to write well on-line. Too often, writers attempt to create Web pages by simply using the same techniques they use for print documents; The Internet Writer's Handbook offers those writers specific advice on writing and designing on-line hypertext documents. In addition to entries on HTML elements, researching on the Internet, e-mail style, and other such contemporary topics, the Handbook places unique emphasis on online writing techniques. The book includes up-to-the-minute research on online help, hypertext, Web page design, concise writing techniques, usability testing, interface design, and Web sites. Reflecting the author's extensive experience as a consultant in business and technical writing, this handbook will appeal to anyone who needs help in creating a Web page.

This book is useful for any technical, business, or professional writing for the Internet.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 350 pages
• Publisher: Longman Publishing Group; 1st edition (August 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0205287840
• ISBN-13: 978-0205287840
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,353,953 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No sifting required: Chock full of gold nuggets of knowledge, April 14, 2000

By 

Sarah W. Miller (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Internet Writer's Handbook (Spiral-bound)

This is an AWESOME book! Very well organized. It can be read word-for-word cover-to-cover OR reviewed quickly for the major points! The information is very accessible because of the presentation: lots of bulleted lists, short paragraphs, and special tips. Also, excellent examples (of both stellar and regretable writing) are given throughout the book. This book is a success due to the excellent oranization and presentation, AND the broad scope of information offered (e.g., three chapters on different aspects of writing for the Web, a chapter on editing Web sites, chapters on Web page design and navigation, and more)!

As a novice in the subject of writing for the Web, I've found this an excellent "How to" book. I'm an editor of trade books and other publications, but am learning about writing for the Web. So far, this has been the most helpful book because of the accessibility of the information (not buried in long, narrative chapters).

Another recommendation: I recommend "Writing for New Media" (1998). In "Writing for New Media," authors Bonime and Pohlmann discuss writing for interactive media, which includes interactive thinking, interactive writing (instead of linear writing), and aspects of interactive storytelling.

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great combination of web style guidelines and writing style, February 19, 2000

By 

cara tremblay (Charlotte, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Internet Writer's Handbook (Spiral-bound)

I've read many books regarding web design and writing for online media. This book combines some knowledge you'd get from The Chicago Manual of Style, with some of the web info you'd get from The Yale Web Style Guide. Great mix of both subjects, in a a format that makes for easy reading. You need this book if you're web mastering and writing the content for your site.

2.0 out of 5 stars outdated and redundant information, December 31, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Internet Writer's Handbook (Spiral-bound)

The: Web Page Design, Web Page Elements and Navigation sections are *outdated*. This book was created in 1999 and there has been many advancements and corrections in this field.

The: Web Page Style, Editing and Web Page Writing Techniques sections could be great for beginner writers but for those who thought they would get a whole bunch of nuggets about writing for the web, will be sadly disappointed. At minimum, half a handful of nuggets can be gotten while sifting through the outdated and redundant information.

The: Types of Web Writing section was probably *most useful* to me and I wasn't really wanting information about that in the first place.

The book is also hard-to-read, even though it attempts at making it easy-to-read. Everything is sort of "clumped" together with too many icons, too much in the legend and not enough "white space" to follow the information coherently.

In 1999, I could see this book being a major hit... combining web page design and writing skills but the heavy price tag of the book today isn't merited.

If you get it, skip the stuff about web design. Better yet, pick up a copy at your local library to see what I'm talking about and then make your decision from there.

In my opinion, this isn't a book to keep in your private library collection!