Appendix 2:
Writing Effective Internet Site Descriptions for the LINK
Introduction
One of the many great features of the Evans Library's Library Information NetworK (LINK) is its across-the-LINK search engine. By using the Search - This Site (LINK) screen, a user can perform a keyword search through each and every word in the LINK's many site titles and descriptions. This adds tremendous value to the thousands of excellent Internet sites that the LINK offers, by making them readily accessible, even to users who may not know exactly which LINK category to browse. Therefore, writing strong, useful descriptions is a very effective way to increase the chances that each LINK Internet resource will be found more easily, used more often, and appreciated more fully.
Think of description writing as abstracting to the reader an original, informative summary of what the Internet site is about. So, with this mindset, how do you write effective Internet site descriptions?
Keep two things in mind at all times when preparing a LINK description:
- The Audience that will be accessing the LINK to view your resource.
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- The Purpose of the Internet site you are suggesting.
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The primary audience of the LINK is Florida Tech students, faculty, and staff.
The purpose conveys what the Internet site is about. Your description should leave the reader with a clear summary of the content offered in the site and why the site is a valuable resource to them.
The Process
1. Review the Internet site with the goal of abstracting the content to the readers.
2. Review the site again and determine the key information using the following areas as your guide:
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a. Headings |
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b. Subheadings |
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c. Table of Contents (site maps) |
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d. Key Words |
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e. Introductions |
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f. Summaries |
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g. Meta tags |
3. Develop a rough description from the information obtained in step 2.
4. Next, try to incorporate as many of the following characteristics in your descriptions as possible.
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a. The use of variety in your word choice (think of the key words the potential reader will use to search). |
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b. The use of the names of programs of study at Florida Tech that could utilize your resource* |
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c. The use of acronyms and their extensions. |
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d. The name of the author * |
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e. The date of publication (e.g. journals) * |
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f. The notification of special software requirements * |
* If applicable
5. Convert your rough description into a complete yet concise (approximately 25 words) description.
6. Check your description for accuracy and grammatical/spelling errors (you may want to write your descriptions in Word and then cut & paste them to the LINK). Also, ensure that your description is objective and original.
7. Submit the description to the LINK.
Remember not to copy text or descriptions directly from an Internet site to the LINK. This plagiaristic act may pose serious copyright infringement issues.
Examples of Effective Descriptions
- SOFIA - Welcome! - "South Florida Information Access" provides regional USGS data, covering ecosystems, biology, geology, chemistry, geochemistry, hydrogeology, tides, and water resources.
- Internet Journal of Rescue and Disaster Medicine - Peer-reviewed journal combining the contents of Internet Journal of Aeromedical Transportation and Internet Journal of Disaster Medicine, 1997 - date.
References
Lane, K. & Jones, D. (2001). Technical Communication: Strategies for College and the Workplace. New York: Longman.
Rew, L.J. (1989). Introduction to Technical Writing. New York: St. Martin's Press.
Zeal. (2002, February). Writing Site Titles and Descriptions. Available: http://zeal.com/guidelines/style/site_titledesc/
