The Web Content Style Guide: An Essential Reference for Online Writers, Editors and Managers

Author: Gerry McGovern, Rob Norton, Catherine O'Dowd
List Price: $27.00
Our Price: Click to see the latest and low price
ISBN: 0273656058
Publisher: Prentice Hall (28 November, 2001)
Sales Rank: 62,591
Average Customer Rating: 3.21 out of 5

Customer Reviews

Rating: 2 out of 5
First 30 pages are all you really need.
I'm a huge fan of McGovern, but this book isn't worth the money. You can actually read the first section of the book - the part I really loved - at his web site for free: www.gerrymcgovern.com. The "sample web style guide" at the end of the book is woefully underwritten. Buy CONTENT CRITICAL instead.

Rating: 1 out of 5
Almost Criminal
This book is next to useless as a web style guide. Of the 224 pages only the first 35 pages are devoted to the topic of style. The rest of the book is a glossary of terms with little practical use. Most of the material presented in this book is available on the web for free and in greater detail.

My first glance through the book was a disappointment. Two days later I gave it a second chance but it confirmed my first impression so I sent it back.

Rating: 5 out of 5
Intelligent and informative. A superb reference.
If you're looking for a cybertized version of the Chicago Manual of Style, this isn't it. But if you need to migrate your writing and editing skills to the Web, there's no better place to start than the Web Content Style Guide. I frequently lecture on content development, usability, and information architecture. This book is always on my list of recommended reading.

In addition to great writing guidelines and advice, there's also valuable information about the related issues of usability, navigation, and design. This is particularly important since many writers ignore these subjects thinking they are too technical or outside their area of responsibility (think again!). Keep the WCSG close at hand and your work can't help but improve.

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Book Index