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From the discussion thread for For those of you who used to go to church, but have stopped for whatever reason -
[user], I'm sorry that you feel that the vote was invalid.
Like you, I generally give everybody a 3 or better, just for answering - unless their answer is simply awful. If it's just a headline (with maybe one sentence that doesn't really answer the question), or is abusive, or is spam that doesn't relate to the subject, I'll give two stars. In very rare cases I'll give one for the very worst answers.
Just a reminder: you have the option of appealing the results, of course.
Will you accept a sermon from an old grammarian? Formatting matters. When your answer is one giant paragraph, it becomes much harder to read. It's like trying to jam a whole steak in your mouth at once - it's not a comfortable experience for the reader!
It's much easier to read text if it's broken up into relatively smaller paragraphs. Generally, most paragraphs should consist of 3-5 sentences each. Of course, that's not a hard-and-fast rule. Once in a while a one-sentence paragraph can also be an effective way to shake things up or add emphasis.
Like this.
White space matters in writing. It makes your text much easier to read. And it doesn't really take much longer to apply; all you have to do is hit the Enter key a couple of times, every few sentences. If you can break up the paragraphs thematically, so much the better. :D
I could also go on about using headings, numbering, and text formatting (where appropriate) to enhance readability, but I fear I've gone on too long already. The point that I'm trying to make is this: you're putting a lot of work and thought into your answers, so I think it would be worth your while to take the final step and do a little final-formatting.
Otherwise, it's like slaving away over a hot stove to make a really fine meal for your friends, and serving it on dirty paper plates. Poor presentation can defeat your whole purpose!
Sorry to have gone on for so long and to sound so preachy, but I've seen too many fine answers end up ruined by difficult-to-read formatting.
But I will note that your spelling (or spell-checking) is excellent.
What do you think - too preachy and schoolmarm-ish?
[user], I'm sorry that you feel that the vote was invalid.
Like you, I generally give everybody a 3 or better, just for answering - unless their answer is simply awful. If it's just a headline (with maybe one sentence that doesn't really answer the question), or is abusive, or is spam that doesn't relate to the subject, I'll give two stars. In very rare cases I'll give one for the very worst answers.
Just a reminder: you have the option of appealing the results, of course.
Will you accept a sermon from an old grammarian? Formatting matters. When your answer is one giant paragraph, it becomes much harder to read. It's like trying to jam a whole steak in your mouth at once - it's not a comfortable experience for the reader!
It's much easier to read text if it's broken up into relatively smaller paragraphs. Generally, most paragraphs should consist of 3-5 sentences each. Of course, that's not a hard-and-fast rule. Once in a while a one-sentence paragraph can also be an effective way to shake things up or add emphasis.
Like this.
White space matters in writing. It makes your text much easier to read. And it doesn't really take much longer to apply; all you have to do is hit the Enter key a couple of times, every few sentences. If you can break up the paragraphs thematically, so much the better. :D
I could also go on about using headings, numbering, and text formatting (where appropriate) to enhance readability, but I fear I've gone on too long already. The point that I'm trying to make is this: you're putting a lot of work and thought into your answers, so I think it would be worth your while to take the final step and do a little final-formatting.
Otherwise, it's like slaving away over a hot stove to make a really fine meal for your friends, and serving it on dirty paper plates. Poor presentation can defeat your whole purpose!
Sorry to have gone on for so long and to sound so preachy, but I've seen too many fine answers end up ruined by difficult-to-read formatting.
But I will note that your spelling (or spell-checking) is excellent.
What do you think - too preachy and schoolmarm-ish?
