Headings

Headings organize a web page’s content into logical and digestible chunks. Here’s what the headings look like on this page:

Heading 1

Heading 2

Heading 3

Heading 4

Heading 5
Heading 6

Most of the time you won’t need anything below Heading 3. Some simple rules:

  • Don’t Use Heading 1 – There should be only one Heading 1 on a page. Very often it is your page title. If your page doesn’t automatically have a Heading 1, then use it, but only once.
  • Heading 2 is your default – When in doubt, use Heading 2

What to say

First, remember what a heading is. Headings introduce the content that follows them. They allow the reader to scan through a page to find the section they’re looking for, so make sure your headings allow the reader to do that.

Here are some general tips:

  • Short – Use as few words as possible. Sometimes one is enough. But use enough words to make the heading meaningful and clear.
  • Direct and clear – This goes hand-in-hand with brevity. Instead of “Join us for our family picnic on July 8!” say “Family Picnic – July 8.” It’s less to read and gives you the same information. The longer version might make a good first sentence for that section, under the heading.

Here’s a silly example of how to use headings to organize your content. Notice how each Heading 2 breaks down the broader topic of Heading 1, and how each Heading 3 breaks down the topic of the Heading 2 it is within, and so on.

Oranges at Augsburg College (Heading 1)

History (Heading 2)

Oranges have been at Augsburg College since 1957 when a group of Floridians visited the campus and brought them as gifts.

Uses for Oranges (Heading 2)

Eating (Heading 3)

Students, faculty, and staff all enjoy eating oranges. They are made available every day in the cafeteria.

Throwing (Heading 3)

Oranges can be thrown for a number of reasons.

A game of catch (Heading 4)

It’s not uncommon to see who Auggies enjoying a game of orange catch on the quad on a sunny afternoon.

Orange baseball (Heading 4)

Some students like to destroy oranges by hitting them with bats in pretend baseball scenarios. We do not recommend or promote this, as it wastes food and makes everything sticky.

Scurvy (Heading 3)

No one wants scurvy. Eating or drinking oranges helps prevent it.

Orange Color Campaign (Heading 2)

Because of Augsburg’s love for oranges, many on campus have lobbied for the school to change its official color from maroon to orange. The Orange Color Campaign is the official student group represents this cause. For more information on the Orange Color Campaign, visit their website or join their Facebook page.