How We Like To Read

In a dojo conversation we suggested authors "whisper" to their readers what they intend to write when they make a new link and don't have the time in the moment to make the page they want.

How To Wiki offers some advice on how to add content to the wiki. That tells what can be done. Here we consider what should be done to balance author and reader needs.

We start with the need to write.

Think for a moment how your reader will know your page from similar pages. Choose a name that qualifies your subject. Don't just write about Computers, write about Computer Programming, or Laptop Computers, or Why We Hate Computers.

You can make this page using the Create New Page link in the hamburger (☰) menu.

Or, better, you can write a link into a page that needs some elaboration, or a page chronicling your thoughts.

With that link you can write a few more words to narrow the title in a way that would be obvious to the eventual reader but saves some readers from even having to click the link when their interests are outside your purpose.

Why We Hate Computers that serve others not us.

We can more easily find the links that we want to follow when they are single lines composed consistently. When what you think you need to say runs over to the second line find better words or just say less.

Dojo Practices grows gracefully month by month.

We understand that your pages are a work in progress. Let us see your thoughts solidify as you return to your pages day after day. You can write instructions to yourself. We will understand.

Say more about flow.

Say why transition words are superfluous.

Write 30 to 50 words to complete a though in each paragraph. Wiki's pages were chosen to average 10 words per line so this means 3 to 5 lines. We can scan these paragraphs quickly and scroll while keeping our place.

One word dangling on the last line of a paragraph is called a widow because it lives alone. Make some room above so it can join its natural family. wikipedia

Once a page gets about this long, 10 paragraphs, it would be a good time to bring it to a close. Remember that we readers have our own list of pages to visit so don't make us stay there too long. You've set our expectations and then met them. Now we ponder briefly and move on.

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The full stop page fold tells us that our reading experience is now complete.

Really good pages will attract addendums waiting to become their own pages someday.