How does a URL work?

A URL works by provided coded information that leads the browser to one specific place on the Internet. It is similar to a phone number or postal mailing address. Once you understand the elements, you can 'read' a URL to gather information about a resource before you even look at the page.

Let's dissect and name the parts of an URL:
  Diagram that disects a URL, naming each part of the web address.

Image of a scissors, snipping or truncating the last element of a URL.

 

graphic says video. links to flash based video tutorialVideo Tutorial:Investigation by Truncating

  

How do I 'Truncate' a URL?

You can navigate through a website by 'snipping' away segments of the URL (also called the web address). If we delete a segment, from the forward-slash to the end of the URL, we can backtrack through the web address. This allows us to navigate the website in a new way. As we do this, we can observe the contents of the site. Eventually you will arrive at the root page. You can't prune the trunk any further.

Knowing more about the website will help you evaluate the credibility of the web resources you are viewing

Cartoon Image of a computer reading from paper text. Listen
Authored by Lora K. Kaisler and Dennis O'Connor 2003 - 2005