Writing for the Web

1. Writing for the Web October 27, 2010

2. Writing for the Web • http://www.epa.gov/productreview/writing/writing_handout.html

3. Readability checker in Word • When you begin the spell check - choose options lower left

4. Readability • Check Show readability statistics.

5. Flesch Reading Ease

6. Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level • Number that corresponds with a grade level. • For example, a score of 8.2 indicates that the text is expected to be understandable by an average student in 8th grade (usually around ages 13–14 in the United States of America).

7. Screening Purposes Only • These scores are for screening • It’s hard to get to the 8th grade level, our goal for basic information • Audience matters, there are cases where 8th grade isn’t the goal

8. Writing Example • Molds are found almost every where; they grow on virtually any organic substance (i.e., wood, paper, carpet, foods, and insulation), as long as moisture and oxygen are present. When excessive moisture accumulates in buildings or on building materials, mold growth often occurs, particularly if the moisture problem isn’t found or repaired. It is impossible to eliminate all mold in the indoor environment. However, indoor mold growth can be reduced by controlling moisture. • Plus: It is important to dry water damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.

9. A Possible After • Molds grow on organic material (i.e., wood, paper, carpet, foods, and insulation), if moisture and oxygen are present. You can’t stop indoor mold growth, but it can be reduced by controlling moisture. Dry any water damage within 24-48 hours to prevent growth.

10. Before • EPA encourages Americans to use compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) for residential lighting to save energy. Switching from traditional incandescent bulbs to CFLs is an effective, simple change everyone can make to help use less electricity at home and prevent greenhouse gas emissions that lead to global climate change. • CFLs contain very small amounts of mercury – typically less than 1/100th of the amount found in an old mercury thermometer. The mercury is an essential component that allows these bulbs to be energy-efficient. To prevent potential exposure to the very small amounts of mercury in CFLs, and to prevent mercury from getting in the environment, you should: • store and handle CFLs in a safe and responsible manner, • clean up broken CFLs in accordance with EPA’s recommended steps, and • recycle or otherwise dispose of a CFL properly when it has burned out. Simple, convenient, cost-effective CFL recycling options are available.

11. After • EPA encourages Americans to use compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) for residential lighting to save energy and prevent greenhouse gas emissions that lead to global climate change.  Fluorescent light bulbs contain mercury. You can prevent potential mercury exposure to you and your environment by: • storing and handling CFLs responsibly; • following our tips when cleaning up broken CFLs; and • recycling or disposing of CFLs properly.

12. Another writing example • While bed bugs are not known to transmit disease, their presence is unwelcome and has presented difficult challenges and distress to many people. Experts suspect the resurgence is associated with more international and domestic travel, lack of knowledge necessary to prevent infestations, increased resistance of bed bugs to pesticides, and ineffective pest control practices. The encouraging news is that there are ways to control bed bugs. While there is no chemical "silver bullet" or quick fix, there are effective strategies involving both non-chemical and chemical methods.

13. Contact: Judy Dew dew.judy@epa.gov