Pleading for Paragraphs


Pleading for Paragraphs

6
points

I will admit that there are some longer xombytes that I am unable to read because they're written without using paragraphs.

It might just be me, but I really have a hard time reading one long purge of words without any sense of demarcation between new ideas.

For instance, I love reading the entries for the spooky xomba contest currently underway but I have started and stopped at least three stories because there was no where for me to pause, take a breath, and process what the author's intention was.

I realize that there are some stories where the writer may want the reader to read through it quickly, perhaps a storyline involving an action sequence. However, the fast-action can be conveyed with short, staccato sentences all the while still using paragraph form.

Writing a story without using paragraphs is incredibly difficult and in my opinion, only a handful of writers have been able to pull it off.

And that's all this xombyte is as well...an opinion!



user-icon Submitted by Mia Northwest on Thu, 2008-10-02 10:41


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Allison West's picture

RE: Pleading for Paragraphs

Submitted by Allison West on Thu, 2008-10-02 12:15.

I definitely agree with you.It's very distracting when articles aren't broken up into paragraphs. I've been here about a week, also seen some xombytes that aren't 100 words or "magazine" quality.

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jdubhub's picture

Amen, Mia

Submitted by jdubhub on Thu, 2008-10-02 15:19.

I am conflicted about editing guidelines on a writing website. Granted, proper spelling, punctuation, and syntax do the reader a favor by making your words readable, which is the whole point of writing for an audience. One could also argue that freestyle writing means that some rules can be bent a little for effect.

When I write, especially if I am writing more than two or three paragraphs about something, I make it a point to make a paragraph for each separate thought even if it means a one-sentence paragraph.

But, even so, I see what you mean about someone writing an article about a detailed subject and running everything together. If the writer expects us to take a moment to ponder a point he or she made in the article, it is only fair to ask that the big article be broken down into easily digested pieces. Few of us are willing to use a post-it note on our computer screen to save our place.

jdubhub's Xombyte

DO YOU HAVE THE WRITE STUFF?

rawnak's picture

I agree

Submitted by rawnak on Fri, 2008-10-03 04:21.

I don't feel like reading anything that is very lengthy and specially if it doesn't have any paragraphs in it. I think paragraphs play a very important role in any article and should be made use of wisely to keep the interest of the readers to want to continue reading till the end.

rawnak's Xombyte

Idlewild's picture

Pleading for paragraphs

Submitted by Idlewild on Sun, 2008-10-05 11:58.

I'm all for this as well. And also using the 'delimiter' to break up a xombyte. Xomba automatically inserts the delimiter, which allows you to see the first paragraph or first few lines of a xombyte, letting you see the rest when you click 'read more."

Some people insist on not using the delimiter and having their entire byte (often a long one) run on the page of Recent xombytes, which I find annoying. Please folks, use the delimiter! If you've make your first paragraph interesting, people will click on 'read more' to read the rest of it.

Rycharde Manne's picture

an ocean of text

Submitted by Rycharde Manne on Mon, 2008-10-06 01:40.

Had the same problem reading Samuel Beckett - an ocean of text without a paragraph in sight. Mind you, other thoughts come to mind, such as, "What's the point? Will anything happen? Can I go now?"

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