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I just came here to post literally that same sentence. This long form stuff is so formulaic. It always goes like: It was an [adjective] day in [month] [year] w
by codeulike 6y ago
I just came here to post literally that same sentence. This long form stuff is so formulaic. It always goes like:
It was an [adjective] day in [month] [year] with [seasonal weather or some such described] and [person] had no idea about [the thing that was about to happen] and we're going to slowly describe what happened, out of order and jumping around a lot, over the next 5000 words. Enjoy!
- PhantomGremlin 6y agoThat writing style also annoys the heck out of me. Get to the point! That style was great when a person received perhaps two or three magazines a month in the mail. Today, if I don't get some inklings about the Five W's[1] in the first paragraph or two, then I'm on to the next article. Life is too short for me to read the ramblings of someone being paid by the word. There's a need for, and a place for, long form writing. But not for 99%+ of what's out there. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Ws https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Ws
- afavour 6y agoI have to disagree. When I’m reading API documentation (or a particular bugbear, a recipe) then yes, cut the crap and get to the point. But when it’s an article like this telling the story of the rise and fall of a business? I want to be taken on a journey, not receive a bullet point list of things they did wrong. There’s no reason why this topic should not be covered long form style.
- toyg 6y agoIt’s a very American style of journalism. I personally find it very irritating (just give me the 5-Ws, dammit), but it sells. I guess you can blame Capote, or Hemingway.