Writing for the Web

The inverted pyramid illustrates the comprehension method of writing. The broad area at the top gives the most important information, why your readers (users) are visiting your page in the first place, the who, what, when, where, and why. As the pyramid reduces in size the smaller and smaller details follow. The top is the need to know and the bottom is the nice to know.

Benefits fo the Inverted-Pyramid Style for Web Writing

Who is your user, why are they reading your webpage? Using this style of writing will give the user the information that is needed right at the top and will hopefully get them to scroll for more.

• Improve comprehension: with the important information at the beginning gives the reader the general understanding that will lead them to follow and understand the rest of the information.
• Encourage Scrolling: Give the main points first it will lead them to the other details.
• Supports readers who skim: We are all guilt of skimming an article - with the main points first readers will still get the information needed.

How to Write in the Inverted Pyramid Style

1. If the first information on the page is your most important information - Identify that information
2. As you write smaller and smaller details - order those details. Write that information in that order
3. We love bulleted lists, short to the point sentences and paragraphs
4. Important information first - main point always the first sentence

Information on this page was taken from "Inverted Pyramid: Writing for Comprehension" written by Amy Schade