Creating Hypertext Documents Page 2

Basic HTML Structure

Every HTML document has a basic structure, illustrated below. Note that every command is enclosed within the "less than" (<) and "greater than" (>) signs. This is simply the language syntax and has no meaning outside of HTML. Note also that all commands have a corresponding "slash" command that terminate them. HTML is a very simple parsed language that requires the author to specifically define all aspects of his or her document. Strange and unexpected results often occur until you become familiar with the language. Note: HTML is NOT case sensitive. Commands may be in UPPER or lower case letters.

<html>
<head>
<title>
Title of your paper that appears on the top of the browser screen but not within the document itself
</title>
</head>
<body>

This is where your entire paper goes. Paper headings go here as well as the entire text of the paper. The Title Heading above does not appear within the document itself.

</body>
</html>

All HTML documents have this basic structure. Any HTML editor has the capability to create a new document "template" with these commands. All you have to do is insert your paper within the body of the document. This process, as described below, is quite simple.

Within the HTML document are commands that accomplish specific functions. The next several pages describe "What To Do," including bold text, italic text, paragraphing, line breaks, indentations, text centering, inclusion of graphics, and tabular data formatting.

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