Linking Pages

The page is the basic unit of web design and rhetoric. When you type an essay in a word processing program, the page breaks are inserted automatically. Unlike a word processor, an HTML editor will not automatically insert page breaks, so you need to consider the page as a unit. A page should be focused; in a class, for example, each assignment should get its own page (or series of linked pages).

Unlike print, web pages can be read in more than one sequence; as a web designer, you can choose to offer various options to your readers. A web site which simply offers "Next Page" as the sole link is using a print-based structure. A web-based structure is just that: a web. Before making too many links, its a good idea to draw a map of your proposed site. A simple structure would look like this:

 

The main page is index.html. The index page has three links, and most of the linked pages have more than one link. web graphic

To make links in a web editor you first need to create (or know the URL of) the page to which you want to link.

Let's assume you want to link from your new index page to another page you've created.

First, make sure the your index.html file and the new page are in the same folder on your disk. We'll be using relative URLs.

Linking to a page outside of your site requires the entire URL of the external file. These are called absolute URLs. Obviously, the external page you're linking to will not be in the same directory as your index.html file.

Now you can upload your new pages to your Mason webspace.

 


Dean Taciuch
GMU English Department

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