Creating content that engages and informs
doesn't have to be daunting. By following
a few simple guidelines, you can ensure
your writing is both clear and
captivating. Here’s how:
Keep It Short and Sweet
- Break it down: Long paragraphs
can overwhelm your readers. Keep your
sentences and paragraphs short to
improve readability.
- Use bullet points or numbered
lists: These can help organize
your content, making it easier for
readers to scan and understand.
Adhere to Style Guidelines
- Follow the MSU Editorial Style
Guide: This ensures consistency and
professionalism in your writing.
Familiarize yourself with the guide to
understand the nuances of style, usage,
and punctuation.
- Be mindful of tone:
Your writing should be informative yet
accessible, maintaining a balance between
professionalism and
approachability.
Attention to
Detail
- Proofread: Spelling, grammar,
punctuation, and capitalization mistakes
can detract from your message. Always
double-check your work or have someone
else review it.
- Avoid redundancy:
Don’t include repetitive information such
as date, time, and location.
Utilize
Hyperlinks Effectively
- Incorporate
relevant links: Enhance your content with
hyperlinks to additional resources or
related information. Instead of using the
full URL, hyperlink appropriate text
(e.g., "visit our department’s page" or
connect with our speaker on
LinkedIn").
- Ensure links are
descriptive: Use action-oriented and
descriptive text for hyperlinks. This
guides readers on what to expect when they
follow a link.
Call to Action
- Be
clear and concise: If you want your
readers to take action, be specific about
what they should do. Use action verbs to
make your call to action compelling (e.g.,
"reserve your spot today" with a hyperlink
to the registration form).
- Avoid
vague phrases: Phrases like "click here"
or "read more" don’t tell your readers
enough about the action you want them to
take. Instead, use descriptive language
that relates to the action (e.g., "join
our webinar on Zoom").