A Simple Request About Posting Discussions
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
September 30, 2008 5:08pm CST
I hope none of my friends here take offense of what I'm about to say and propose as a suggestion here.
Now I've been known to, on occasion post rather long-winded discussions. I sometimes don't realize how long my discussions are until they are posted and I look at it and think...yikes! Did I write all that? 
But one thing I do try to do, no matter how long or short my discussions are, is to break the ideas up, as into paragraphs. One thing I've noticed though, is a few people, maybe in the "heat" of getting their thought down will write their discussions like one, long paragraph with no breaks. Not to be mean, but I often skip such long discussions if they are written this way as I'm just not a great on-line reader.
After spending a day (or night or both) writing my articles, doing research for them, which yes, means reading a lot on-line, then proof-reading what I've written, it drives me a tad daft to come here and read really long discussions, with no paragraph breaks but one continuous thought or idea.
I'm NOT discouraging anyone from posting really long discussions, in fact I do love reading them from my friends as many of the discussions they write are great, I just WISH for paragraph breaks.
Does it bother anyone else here, if you come across a discussion of a friend of yours and its one, long, long paragraph?....Are you a good on-line reader, as I sure ain't. Do you tend to pass up a discussion just because it's written as one long continuous paragraph?
Like I said, I don't mean to offend anyone of my friends...but please format your thoughts and ideas differently....okay?
But one thing I do try to do, no matter how long or short my discussions are, is to break the ideas up, as into paragraphs. One thing I've noticed though, is a few people, maybe in the "heat" of getting their thought down will write their discussions like one, long paragraph with no breaks. Not to be mean, but I often skip such long discussions if they are written this way as I'm just not a great on-line reader.
After spending a day (or night or both) writing my articles, doing research for them, which yes, means reading a lot on-line, then proof-reading what I've written, it drives me a tad daft to come here and read really long discussions, with no paragraph breaks but one continuous thought or idea.
I'm NOT discouraging anyone from posting really long discussions, in fact I do love reading them from my friends as many of the discussions they write are great, I just WISH for paragraph breaks.
Does it bother anyone else here, if you come across a discussion of a friend of yours and its one, long, long paragraph?....Are you a good on-line reader, as I sure ain't. Do you tend to pass up a discussion just because it's written as one long continuous paragraph?
Like I said, I don't mean to offend anyone of my friends...but please format your thoughts and ideas differently....okay?7 people like this
33 responses
@jwfarrimond (4473)
•
30 Sep 08
I'm afraid that I've been guilty of this in the past if I've been in a hurry. Usually though I do try to break it up into proper paragraphs as it does make it more readable or even readable at all. 
5 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 Sep 08
Mmmm....to be honest I've never noticed if your discussions were that long....at least not a mile long..LOL.
3 people like this
@Pitgull (1522)
• United States
30 Sep 08
Instead of asking people to change what they do, it might be better to suggest how they can improve their usage of "white space".
Explain the people that there are correct ways, and incorrect ways, to format documents and that white space has an affect on readability.
That way, you are not telling people to change something, they might not understand needs to be changed.
I understand what you are saying, but someone may think all you are saying is "If you don't do this, I won't read".
Explain that it makes it hard to read, and provide and example.
For instance, can you read the above^^^^^^^^^^or below better?
Instead of asking people to change what they do, it might be better to suggest how they can improve their usage of "white space".Explain the people that there are correct ways, and incorrect ways, to format documents and that white space has an affect on readability.That way, you are not telling people to change something, they might not understand needs to be changed.I understand what you are saying, but someone may think all you are saying is "If you don't do this, I won't read".
Explain that it makes it hard to read, and provide and example.
I understand your frustration (but sometimes we need to be very specific, in order to keep other people from going, "you know what?" It helps them earn more money if you can read what they say, so tell them that :)
5 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 Sep 08
Actually the way you've written both examples was very readable for me..what I'm talking about are the discussions I come across that are literally what seems a mile long without any breaks...then I have a real hard time reading them
4 people like this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
30 Sep 08
Hi pye, 
It's wonderful to see you here with a discussion, as I 'know' you've been working really hard elsewhere of late.
I'm not offended at all, and in fact I've been guilty of this in the past. I think I used to do it more, when I first became a member, but I'd have to check. I have a couple of my latest discussions that are quite lengthy, but they're divided as you've suggested. Feel free to check them out, and see if they're readable. Just kidding. 
I understand why you're making this request, as my eyes bother me anyway, after a lot of online reading. I really need my glasses changed. 
Take care.
It's wonderful to see you here with a discussion, as I 'know' you've been working really hard elsewhere of late.
I'm not offended at all, and in fact I've been guilty of this in the past. I think I used to do it more, when I first became a member, but I'd have to check. I have a couple of my latest discussions that are quite lengthy, but they're divided as you've suggested. Feel free to check them out, and see if they're readable. Just kidding.
I understand why you're making this request, as my eyes bother me anyway, after a lot of online reading. I really need my glasses changed.
Take care.4 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 Sep 08
Hiya mom...glad to see you here too. I'll have to look back at my own discussions as I do tend to be a tad wordy, but I'm pretty sure I always broke up my ideas here and there. Yes, it really does bother my eyes though to read really one long, long, long continuous posted discussion. Just not a good on-line reader...just be showing my age as I'm still too used to book reading
4 people like this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
1 Oct 08
I'm glad I'm not the only one with eye problems. My age is showing 'all over the place.' Take care.
Take care.3 people like this
@someonesmom (5761)
• Canada
1 Oct 08
That's the same way I do it too pye. One of the reasons for this, is that I like to see some, if not all, of the other responses before giving my own.
3 people like this
@dizzblnd (3073)
• United States
30 Sep 08
I am a stickler for English. I have noticed that the proper use of paragraphs, sentences and punctuation is becoming lost as more and more people learn how to text and using "on-line speak" to communicate.
I do understand, as well as you do, that there are users from all over the world here that are learning English. They don't bother me when they post, because it is not their first language and they are at least making the attempt to communicate to the best of their abilities.
What drives me crazy though, are those of us who English IS their first language and they post a discussion as you have mentioned. That being said, I am not perfect, nor will I ever claim to be. If you stick me in a math class and ask me to divide a fraction by the square root of 546... then ask me to tun the answer to a decimal I KNOW I wouldn't be able to do it. Math is not my strong point, just like English is not easy for everyone.
So, as ideal as your suggestion seems, it will be about as easy as congress agreeing on a feasible bail-out that makes everyone happy and works for everyone before we all go completely broke and jump off the Golden Gate Bridge
So, as ideal as your suggestion seems, it will be about as easy as congress agreeing on a feasible bail-out that makes everyone happy and works for everyone before we all go completely broke and jump off the Golden Gate Bridge 4 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
30 Sep 08
Heehee--I was terrible in math also...I always need a calculator for the simplest of math problems. Yes I can understand if English isn't a person's first language and might stumble in trying to express themselves. And I must be showing my age or something as I can't understand text language...LOL
3 people like this
@bbrenner (20)
• United States
1 Oct 08
Bless you, I know you mean well. Your Spirit is sweet and your heart's in the right place, but you might be taking it all a tad too seriously. I am amazed at how many newbies are here, I myself being one. I've made about a whopping 35 cents for about ten posts. I usually don't read content unless it catches my attention period. When it has, I don't really concern myself with its format because this is not a forum for professional writers. As I'm sure you are aware, many of the contributors are not even fluent in our language. It might be a cool idea to have some varied language spots in this thing if it doesn't already. Perhaps Spanish, French, maybe German or just about anything anyone wants to start. Wonder if anybody has ever suggested such here? Well, people are only here trying to make a few extra cents, meet a couple of new peers and by chance learn a thing or two. Everyone doesn't have a degree. Myself, I just post on things that I know from my background, education, work, and life experiences. Folks have much to offer. I heard one soul say that mylotters are pathetic because they have nothing better to do than post for pennies. He was posting for free by the way, but that statement is not true. I'm long winded too, ha ;o) There are many, many way cool people on here sharing a ton of knowledge and compassion and garbage also, unfortunately. It's a neat site though and not so much different from any other because sites are ran by people. People are just people all over the world! Bless you lady, have a great day. Go well :o)
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
1 Oct 08
I realize this isn't a forum for professional writers...LOL. I just wish some people would separate their thoughts into line breaks and paragraphs rather one mile long continuous paragraph. I just can't read it and I lose track and concentration of what the heck I'm reading and often have to start again.
As far as the language thing. Most forums are English speaking based, but I'm sure there are probably mylot equivalents in say other countries???? Also, I think if you had sections for Spanish, French, etc that might be considered a bit of favoritism....a forum would then have to also have sections in say Japanese, Arabic, Russian, etc
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160626)
• United States
1 Oct 08
I have not noticed myself passing up discussions because of length, but I have passed them up because they just do not suit my interest, whether they are long or short. I know that I am more likely to pass them up if I am very tired. I do not take offense at you, Pye, but I also probably do not get really long winded very often.
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
2 Oct 08
I tend to pass up long, long discussions if they aren't in paragraphs if I'm tired as well. Like I said after a day/night of working on articles and doing on-line research for them, I'm just plain tired....or at least my eyes are from reading
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
1 Oct 08
If it is one long paragraph I do not read them, it is too tiring on the eyes,
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
1 Oct 08
I agree winterose..I lose track of what I'm reading as well
1 person likes this
@Aussies2007 (5336)
• Australia
30 Sep 08
I did notice another bad thing about mylot.
If mylot ask you to change a word because it is offensif...
When you submit your post after that...
You will lose all your breaks.
4 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
1 Oct 08
I've noticed that too. Also when one posts a photo with the discussion. You hit the add photo, then photo gets posted, but you lose the breaks..so I have to backtrack and do the breaks again in the posting
3 people like this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
1 Oct 08
pye my dear did you realize that your discussion is just one big paragraph also? lol. I know that I sometimes get carried away'
and write long ones without much paragraphing too. So I try to watch it more carefully the next time before I hit the enter'
key.
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
2 Oct 08
I've never noticed your discussions being very, very long. Yours are very readable. But I'm talking about the ones that are two miles long (or at least they seem that way) and without a single break ....I begin to lose concentration of what I'm reading with those.
@Ldyjarhead (10233)
• United States
30 Sep 08
I always break mine up, usually not more than 2-3 sentences for each paragraph. It really is hard to read when it's all jammed together, and as much as I don't want to be rude, I usually won't read after the first few sentences.
I speed read, even when reading for pleasure, and it's very hard on the eyes and nearly impossible to read fast if there is no separation every so often.
4 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
1 Oct 08
I'm a speed reader too...have to be especially when I'm doing research for my articles that I write and that usually requires a lot of on-line reading. It's not unusual for me to have more than six tabs open to the websites on the research material of the article I'm writing about and zip zap between them...LOL
3 people like this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
1 Oct 08
I sure hope i haven't done anything like that, but if so i sure won't do it again..lol..
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
1 Oct 08
nope kitty, kitty, you have never done that
Uh...love your avatar
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
1 Oct 08
Mmmmmm??? I guess the writer in me notices though....LOL
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
1 Oct 08
LOL--I'm not really one for "modern" literature either...I'm often really disappointed about so-called bestsellers and I take the chance and read one or two and try and figure...this is on the NY Times Bestseller list??????????
1 person likes this
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
1 Oct 08
Hi pye,
I do read everyones discussions whic are quite long and yes some of them don't have a paragraph break, but I still enjoy reading them and responding to them. I don't write long discussion unless I have to but I have not done a discussions for a while now, I'm just responding all the time at the moment. I can't think of anything yes.
Bright Blessings
3 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
1 Oct 08
I really don't mind if discussions are long but for me it's just plain hard for me to read one very long continuous paragraph a mile long...my concentration goes haywire...
1 person likes this
@KrazyKlingon (5005)
• United States
1 Oct 08
I usually do that with my discussions & responses, & I have seen it where prople have posted one, long paragraph. Comments indicated in some of those that it just did not transfer via copy & paste properly, meaning that despite having it in different paragraphs, it ended up posting as one huge lump.
I have also found quite a few discussions that when it is received via email, it is emailed as one huge lump, but when viewing the same discussion on the myLot site, it is broken up into paragraphs. Also, skip a line between paragraphs helps a lot also, so hit that ENTER key twice instead of once.
If you hate those one big lump type of discussions, I have this friend who goes by the name brainisgone. When he posts on forums, or sends a long email, he does not use any punctuation, nor does he capitalize the first letter of a sentence. Actually, he almost always types in all caps, & apologizes for it at the end, saying that the caps lock on his keyboard was sticking. I joked around that if someone was to try to read that out loud, by the time he finished reading, he'd be blue in the face, & would not have made much sense.
2 people like this
@KrazyKlingon (5005)
• United States
2 Oct 08
Note that "Almost always all caps" phrase. There were times that as he typed out his one very long sentence, it would abruptly turn into all caps right in the middle of a word. The last days I saw him, it looked like he was hitting lower case letters at random as he typed.
Not sure what's worse. The situation above, or the broken space bar problem. At least with a broken space bar, people usually use the period as a substitute.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
2 Oct 08
LOL--I used to have an email pal--haven't a clue what the heck happened to her, but whenever she sent emails to me...number one it would be one long paragraph with no breaks and all in caps as well. Despite her having a computer, she wasn't exactly computer savvy and didn't understand that to type in all caps was the equivalent of shouting. But then, heck, once when I talked to her about this and that and mentioned copy/paste she hadn't a clue what I meant.....
@littleowl (7157)
•
1 Oct 08
Hi Pye-you haven't offended me as my discussions (as and when I write them ) they are nevver long-winded...but will admit some really really long discussions I do delete as I'm not a great online reader either..yet there again there are some that really are interesting so answer them.
Also though I was trained to type and do all the paragraphs,commas, etc etc and how to space letters etc out I tend to slip awfully now and do it the easy way with a dash or fullstop, as I have done with you.
In future will try and type the way the response should be done...bb littleowl x
) they are nevver long-winded...but will admit some really really long discussions I do delete as I'm not a great online reader either..yet there again there are some that really are interesting so answer them.
Also though I was trained to type and do all the paragraphs,commas, etc etc and how to space letters etc out I tend to slip awfully now and do it the easy way with a dash or fullstop, as I have done with you.
In future will try and type the way the response should be done...bb littleowl x 2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
1 Oct 08
I too think I have a distinctive way of writing. I have a habit of separating some of my thoughts...with dots. LOL
@cortjo73 (6498)
• United States
1 Oct 08
Hey Pye! I think I break mine apart. I try to but, I think I have been known to miss the mark. LOL!
And, it all depends on my mood as to whether I will read a discussion that is put in one long continuous paragraph as opposed to being broken up. It does help to have a line in-between thoughts. I think I tend to write here like I was taught in school but, I also think that I have probably been guilty of what you mentioned. I just can't remember for sure. LOL!
Anyway, I do know that I can be long winded and, it feels natural for me when I put a space between thoughts. I think I do it, for the most part, without conscious effort.
So, I guess I have to agree with what you have said here.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
1 Oct 08
It's different if a person posts really one long continuous discussion in one paragraph once in a blue moon, but something else when it's done all the time...I just lose track of what the heck I'm reading then
@ShellyB (5241)
• United States
1 Oct 08
I like to take advice from mylot friends and other people as well.
(like I now take my time resolving my discussions as some people feel that it is not good to resolved too quickly)
I will try to write more in paragrahs, I tend to write short discussions I think, but what you are saying will be something to keep in mind.
To answer your question I normally read and answer, I am not paying attention to how long but some discussion make me write long responses, like this one.
Thanks for the topic.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
2 Oct 08
I really don't mind if the discussion is long, I just mind when the discussion is one, long trailing paragraph of ideas. I lose track of what I'm reading....LOL
@lilcee (2703)
• United States
1 Oct 08
Yes, it is hard to read a long discussion if it's all one paragraph. I don't like reading one that is all one sentence either. One that does not have any kind of punctuation in it is very hard to read. It's easier to respond to a discussion if you can understand what they are saying. Not so much the spelling, I'm bad at spelling too. But, mostly from the long paragraphs and no punctuation.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
2 Oct 08
I always try to be aware of my sentences as well. As a kid my teachers always accused me on run on sentences..LOL. So I hope I'm not doing that now when I write.
@ByblosFlare (198)
• Australia
1 Oct 08
I am new here, and i have read quite a lot of discussions so far, but whenever i come across a really, really long one, i think to my self "why bother" seriously, kk, yours WAS properly set up, and i would read your but i still its too long, some are longer then yours and they get to a point where you caqnt even understant what thy are trying to prove. Sometimes they kind of go out of there way to explain something but they just end up writting a whole story :P so i am with you on that one! I know that some people like to write really, really long ones but even if they are properly set up they should watch how much they write!
Thanks for brining it up ~Happy MyLotting~
1 person likes this
