Use Inverted Pyramid Style of Writing for Topics People Will Actually Read

[Mad Mac]

Give us the bottom line in the top line, the subject. Summarize the topic in the first paragraph. Expand the story with more details in subsequent paragraphs.

Try to tell the whole story in the subject line, the headline for your story. On this forum, the subject window only displays about 55 characters at a time, but the subject field will hold 80 characters, enough for a complete sentence. Make the most of it.

Some of us are retired and don't have time to bother opening topics that are not clear. The headline is the first chance to get the attention of your reader. In this forum, on mouse-over of that subject line, a balloon is displayed with about 8 lines of 50 characters, enough for a paragraph or two. Take advantage of that feature to provide a synopsis of your story. It is your second chance to hook your reader.



Note the progression of these subject lines:

Won't Start

Starter Will Not Turn Over

2001 California EV Starter Will Not Turn Over: Battery is New

Which subject line do you think is likely to extract a helpful reply? The third one of course, and only about half of the available 80 characters were used.

Finally, flesh out the story with more details, images and links. The Government Accounting Office uses the inverted pyramid. The title of their report is the conclusion of their work. The first page has a one paragraph summary. The next page is an executive one page summary. Then the voluminous report follows. More info on the Inverted Pyramid style of writing.

In other words, unless you are writing a fairy tale, give us all a break and use the journalism style of writing, the inverted pyramid.

[pyoungbl]

I still appreciate the BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front) approach that was taught by my former employer.  State the bottom line in the very beginning.  If anyone gives a shit they can read the rest..otherwise...N EXT TOPIC.

Peter Y.

[Vince in Milwaukee]

I feel like I've just been sent back to school!   ;D  This does make a lot of sense, though.  I do tend to ramble and wander off on tangents when trying to explain things. 

[donn]

A good descriptive subject line not only goes a long way toward helping current forum members to select topics to read today, it will also aid new Guzzisti in the future.

So true!  Some forum members are particularly knowledgeable about Guzzi mechanical matters, and I always deeply appreciate it when one of those guys reads my pathetic plea for help and has something to say.  I try to make my subject line descriptive, not only because it's in my interest but I think you could go so far as to say it shows a little respect for people's time, given that they might not care to read every single thread just to see what it's about.

[redrider]

I learned this in elementary school and use it still. I get favourable comments from those who receive official, work related Emails. My boss says "It's like actually being there".

[segesta]

Just one other thought on making posts more useful: remember that many times, people access your thread or post via search, not browsing the thread. So at least once in your post, write the full name of the motorcycle you are referring to (eg, Breva 1100) instead of an abbreviation, like B11 or Cali 14 or whatever.

That way a searcher can be confident that if they put the actual name of the bike in their search, then they will receive your post in the results.

[rocker59]

Bump.