Writing for the Web:
Guidelines for MIT LibrariesUse words users know
Your audiences are almost always broader than you think.
- If your site is for the public, avoid internal language.
- If your site is internal only, consider how many different audiences you have inside.
Instead of this: Try this: circulation borrowing library items
checking out a bookinterlibrary borrowing borrowing items from other libraries
ordering articles from non-MIT librariesRSC Request an item from storage: Retrospective Collection (RSC)
Use simple words
Even highly educated people read simpler words faster.
Instead of this: Try this: obtain get prior to before purchase buy request ask for subsequent next terminate end utilize use