HyperText Markup Language
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Introduction to HTML

HTML Tags or Elements

Most HTML tags are used in pairs -- the "start tag" and "end tag" -- although some can be used individually. Tags are enclosed in angle brackets (< >), and except for the addition of a forward slash (/), the end tag is the same as the start tag. Thus, the general HTML format is:

                   <TAG>text here</TAG>

Structural vs. Format Tags

HTML tags may be classified as structural tags (e.g., body, title, heading, paragraph) or format tags (e.g., bold, emphasis, italic, strong, citation).

HTML format tags are further divided into two sets:

Tags for Logical Style
Describe the role that the text plays in the document, such as a citation, a definition, or an emphasized element.
Tags for Physical Style
Indicate the desired appearance of the text, such as bold or italics.
In general, prefer the use logical style tags rather than physical tags. Each user interface can interpret and render a logical tag; however, not all interfaces are capable of interpreting physical tags as they are intended to be displayed (i.e., text browsers like LYNX cannot display italics or underline).

HTML 4.01 Required Tags

There are some basic elements which must be a part of every HTML document at the Library of Congress. This is, in part, in order to adhere closely to the HTML 4.01 Specification.

In addition, all Library of Congress Web pages must contain a standard page footer consisting of an image of the Library, the name "Library of Congress," a comments mail address and last updated date:

Glossary of Selected HTML Tags

Use the Glossary of HTML Tags (By Category) to find out how to use each tag set in HTML files you will create. Refer to the document Library of Congress Guidelines for HTML 4.01, for a full table of tags available in HTML 4.01.

Special Characters

Unlike plain ASCII text files, some special characters, or "entities" may be included in HTML files. Special codes exist for using special characters in HTML documents. The code always begins with an ampersand and ends with a semi-colon (e.g., &lt; produces < and &eacute; produces é). For a list of all entity codes, go to the Entities Page at [http://www.htmlhelp.com/reference/html40/entities/] (Web Design Group).

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Library of Congress
Library of Congress Help Desk (October 16, 2000)