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Tangent: What is the term for these sorts of introductions?: > In computing, we have pretty much come to accept the idea that smaller is better. The smaller th
by jessriedel 9y ago
Tangent: What is the term for these sorts of introductions?:
> In computing, we have pretty much come to accept the idea that smaller is better. The smaller the features on a chip, the more transistors we can place, the more computation can be done.
This doesn't actually help the reader understand the contents of the article. At best, it tries to make the reader care about the article by drawing a vacuous comparison to a generic piece of conventional wisdom.
There's a similar thing going on when I try to Google for recommendations/reviews for, say, an exercise app. Very often, the article will begin with just absolutely useless words like
> Research shows that people who exercise are happier and healthier. But this fast-paced modern life doesn't always make it easy! There's just so many things to get done. How can we make sure we're exercising as efficiently as possible? Workout apps! But which ones? Let's take a look at some of the different workout apps available in the app store.
Is this sort of filler material being added because writers are getting paid by the word (honest question), or is it actually demanded by the editors of the websites because it attracts more readers? Or is it some sort of SEO thing?
Just trying to understand this phenomenon.
- b1gnasty 9y agoYeah, I think the entire article is written poorly and quite incoherent
- jpeloquin 9y agoPerhaps the thesis, antithesis, synthesis triad? Also known as the Hegelian triad. For the linked article, thesis = "In computing, we have pretty much come to accept the idea that smaller is better." Antithesis = "Researchers are proposing an idea to make your computer bigger." Synthesis = "They want to turn your entire house into a co-processor." I've seen this and similar story templates show up in articles and books on writing, especially related to writing for a mass audience. They are supposed to produce narrative tension and improve reader engagement. Results vary. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thesis,_antithesis,_synthesis https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thesis,_antithesis,_synthesis
- jessriedel 9y agoThanks, that's useful.
- anitil 9y agoYou've just put words to something I had unconsciously noticed. Particular types of site I know to scroll about 1/3 down the page to get the actual information
- deleted 9y ago[deleted]
- nerdponx 9y agoI remember always being tempted to write these kinds of introductions in my high school English classes. Nobody bothered to tell me it was wrong until a college writing class. I think some teachers even thought it was good.