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

Getting Ready to Write

One of the simple tricks that professional writers learn can greatly ease the process of getting ready to write: look for a model of the kind of article you need to do, then dissect it, analyze it—and copy it. Beginners sometimes worry that this is cheating, if not plagiarism, but it’s nothing of the kind. It is, indeed, the way novice writers were traditionally trained at newspapers and wire services. (plagiarism, though, is a subject of increasing importance on the Web, and is dealt with in the A to Z index.)

For aspiring Web writers, this means becoming familiar with the best websites that feature the kinds of articles that you’re seeking to write. In addition to content formats, you will also see the best-practice ...