Principles

1. Understand context of use

2. Choose what to say

3. Slash everything else

4. Edit sentences

5. Put into logical order

6. Demolish walls of words

7. Choose links

8. Check consistency

9. Rest it then test it

3. Slash everything else

The secret of great editing is cutting. Web users have no time to read; keep it short.

Slash by half, slash by half again

Generally there are too many words. Cut to half of what you started with. Then cut by half again.

Use short paragraphs and short sentences

Short paragraphs have one idea or topic per paragraph. Alternatives:

• short chunks of text
• lists like this.

As a rule of thumb, short sentences are between 10 and 20 words. If it works at 9 words, go for it. If you need 24 words to pull your argument together and create a connected thought, then don't let the 20 word suggestion put you off.

Give a reward for each click

Screens that are only a few words long are a waste of clicks. Make sure each one delivers a rewarding amount of content.

Don't break content in the middle

It's better to have a longer screen with a bit of scrolling than to force the user to click to a second screen for continuous content.

Tip: use scissors

Try printing out the text and cutting it up with scissors. Throw away the bits you know you don't need. Put aside bits you're not sure about. Then work on the rest.

Moving to paper and scissors seems old-fashioned but it gives you a fresh view and makes it easier to concentrate on the most important material.

Where from?

Krug, S. (2000) "Don't Make Me Think: A Common Sense Approach to Web Usability"

"Get rid of half the words on each page, then get rid of half of what's left. Krug's Third Law of Usability".