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> You may be thinking — what does this have to do with time-to-convert? > We'll get there. Just FYI, I consider this tease-based writing to be reader-hostile,
by jessriedel 2y ago
> You may be thinking — what does this have to do with time-to-convert?
> We'll get there.
Just FYI, I consider this tease-based writing to be reader-hostile, the prose equivalent of clickbait. It's the surest way to get me to quit reading.
- ropejumper 2y agoHave you read the article? It's not clickbait, it literally goes on to explain it, and it's only a couple paragraphs. I honestly don't see the issue, and the fact that the author acknowledged a potential question is IMO a good thing.
- jessriedel 2y agoIf this were really the justification, there are almost always better ways to do it. ("If you're wondering about X, see section N". Or just link to it.) Like other dark patterns, there times when this sort of thing can make sense, but in practice it's usually done (consciously or not) to get the reader to read more than they would otherwise.
- ahmeneeroe-v2 2y agoI don't think so. The author is acknowledging that there is a very obvious question they need to answer and doesn't want to leave the reader in doubt about whether they will answer it, but wants to finish making a different point first. It's almost the opposite of reader-hostile.
- Gbox4 2y agoI disagree. I feel like this is something they teach you to do in composition classes - i.e. a hook.
- jessriedel 2y agoThere are all sorts of things taught in composition class that do not promote learning/understanding