I would like to propose a beginning to a section on Page Presentation. Over time, this section could be developed.

"As the creator/editor of a page, your role is to make your page as user friendly as possible for your reader. Your goal is to make sure that the information flows in such a way that your reader is processing the content of what you say, rather than the way that you present it.

A simple place to start is to make sure that your presentation and your grammar follow parallel construction. This means that, if you choose a specific way to phrase your sentences or headings, then all sentences or headings should follow the same format. For instance, if you start an element in a list with a verb, then make sure that all elements start with verbs. If your heading is "Things you should know about being in business," you might list elements as, "Selecting a name," "Getting started," and "Paying taxes." If you switch your construction around from one element to another ("Getting started," "Business names," "Where to go to pay taxes"), you force your reader to change the way s/he processes the information, which requires mental work. If the reader is busy processing your presentation, then s/he has stopped processing content. If the processing becomes too much work, then the reader will stop reading in favor of something less tedious.

As soon as the reader starts thinking about clicking away from your page, you've lost him or her. Your goal is to keep your reader on your page. Your information is only as compelling as your presentation. The more professional your presentation, the greater its attraction for new and repeat customers. Moreover, your professionalism, or lack of it, is a reflection of the overall professionalism of Mahalo. Help to raise Mahalo's professional credibility by raising your own.

On Mahalo Answers, quality is contagious."

Brian San, you're welcome to use as much or as little of this as you wish.

Respectfully,
Shin

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