2 ms·

Here's a tip: Write in a "top down", "newspaper" style. I don't want to have to scroll/scan to paragraph 8, or to the end of the article (blog post, whatever)

Here's a tip: Write in a "top down", "newspaper" style. I don't want to have to scroll/scan to paragraph 8, or to the end of the article (blog post, whatever), to see what you're about. While you're at it, put the publication date and author at the top. If you don't, experience tells me it's at least 50% likely that you're "hiding" these deliberately.

c1sc0 15y ago
Good point, I admit this post was more of a flow of thoughts rather than a carefully crafted post. But guess what? I was prepping another post & it suffered from the same symptoms, will rewrite it a bit. thx
- pasbesoin 15y ago
  Well, my comment was also meant generally and not overly specifically. Your post did take a bit to get to the point, but was not that long in total. The "descriptive story" format (I'm sure there's probably a better, more precise and pre-defined term for it) has become prevalent in today's communication, in "official" news as well as e.g. blog posts. To some extent, it may reflect today's training in writing, and/or the desire of authors to scratch a "creative", "tell a story" itch. To some extent, it may reflect the desire to retain eyeballs (e.g. in front of ads) and to lead the reader to subsequent page turns for a multi-page article. In the case of the latter, perhaps my argument would decrease revenue. On the other hand, I'm more likely to return to a site and a writer who effectively communicates. (Meaning, in my case, clearly and concisely, with details, background, documentation, and further argument following as appropriate.)
c1sc0 15y ago
I don't get your last point though, I think publication date & author are pretty obviously at the top.
- pasbesoin 15y ago
  I was speaking generally, not to you specifically. A lot of blog posts, and more and more ostensible news articles, are placing date/time and author at the end of the post ("below the fold"), if providing them at all (i.e. not always). Others on HN have commented on this, as well. It's an annoying distraction when a non-specific title leads e.g. to year old news that they've already absorbed and dealt with. Combine this with a "story" that withholds this and other pertinent details until e.g. paragraph 12, and such readers begin to get annoyed. Again, this wasn't addressed to your post, where both author and date are/were "above the fold". I'll qualify myself, again: I don't typically write copy, and my comments reflect my personal attitude and desire. They may or may not reflect what is currently considered to be desired/successful copywriting, per the Internet du jour.

c1sc0 15y ago

Good point, I admit this post was more of a flow of thoughts rather than a carefully crafted post. But guess what? I was prepping another post & it suffered from the same symptoms, will rewrite it a bit. thx

pasbesoin 15y ago
Well, my comment was also meant generally and not overly specifically. Your post did take a bit to get to the point, but was not that long in total. The "descriptive story" format (I'm sure there's probably a better, more precise and pre-defined term for it) has become prevalent in today's communication, in "official" news as well as e.g. blog posts. To some extent, it may reflect today's training in writing, and/or the desire of authors to scratch a "creative", "tell a story" itch. To some extent, it may reflect the desire to retain eyeballs (e.g. in front of ads) and to lead the reader to subsequent page turns for a multi-page article. In the case of the latter, perhaps my argument would decrease revenue. On the other hand, I'm more likely to return to a site and a writer who effectively communicates. (Meaning, in my case, clearly and concisely, with details, background, documentation, and further argument following as appropriate.)

c1sc0 15y ago

I don't get your last point though, I think publication date & author are pretty obviously at the top.

pasbesoin 15y ago
I was speaking generally, not to you specifically. A lot of blog posts, and more and more ostensible news articles, are placing date/time and author at the end of the post ("below the fold"), if providing them at all (i.e. not always). Others on HN have commented on this, as well. It's an annoying distraction when a non-specific title leads e.g. to year old news that they've already absorbed and dealt with. Combine this with a "story" that withholds this and other pertinent details until e.g. paragraph 12, and such readers begin to get annoyed. Again, this wasn't addressed to your post, where both author and date are/were "above the fold". I'll qualify myself, again: I don't typically write copy, and my comments reflect my personal attitude and desire. They may or may not reflect what is currently considered to be desired/successful copywriting, per the Internet du jour.