h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

It is possible that if it is written as a single entry FS prefers it stay that way.
I agree with FS as is sometimes spoils the read a if you have to look for part II. To avoid this I tend to split my bigger entries to avoid this problem.

There have been several posts over the last few years that all Entries should be a thousand words or less. I have always set my self a limit of 5,000 words in a single Entry, and then breaking them into sections at a logical point, as an example let me offer A87778967

This is the story of one of Great Britain's most famous heroes, divided into his early career and later fame, split into two almost equal sections.

F S

Wiki's idea of perfection is based on an assumption that everything posted on the Internet is true.

I maintain that our process of Peer Review provides more accurate Entries, and the comment threads allow corrections and additions that the reader can evaluate on their own.

F S

Excellent point

Sorry, I have not been impressed by many of Wikipedia's articles. After I finish reading them, I don;t understand the topic any better than I did before. On some topics, they seem not to be aware of things that other related articles mention, and there's no clue that these other articles exist or should be considered for a broader understanding.

We live in a era when, more and more, nonfiction writing has a high standard of readability to live up to. A well- written book or article can so capture your interest that you read on just because you enjoy it so much. Did you *need* to read it? Well, who knows where anything will lead you? Knowing such and such about something may open doors to more things in your future.

Wikipedia provides information but no knowledge. It's a useful tool but is not generally a Guide to the Galaxy.

FS, it's certainly true that 500 to 1,000 is the best length for an entry if you want people to read it. Longer than that and they will switch off and go somewhere else. But we've never turned down anything because it was too long, as far as I know. When I was a sub-editor, I would split an entry into two if it was more than 5,000 words long.

There are other sites where you have to keep clicking to continue with what you're reading. I find that annoying . If it's a good quality entry, it should be whatever length is needed.

Me too, especially when on a phone. My Belzoni entry was split into three, but in my personal Gnomon's Guide, I keep as a single long entry.

Eh? Entries are 'supposed to be' under 1,000 words? Woops – I've missed that memo…

I've had a quick look, I've currently got four entries in Peer Review that are slightly over 5,000 words, one under 1,000 words and 22 that are somewhere in-between. No-one's commented to me that their length is inappropriate.

Sometimes you just can't fully cover a topic and cut an entry down to that sort of length. I'd ignore that, FS, I can't think anyone would prefer to have no entries rather than slightly lengthy entries – that makes no sense to me.

You're too valuable to h2g2 not to be submitting stuff, so submit away. I want to read your next entry, a nice long one that I can really get into.

I think h2g2 needs a balance – long entries and short entries all should have a place. The more rules saying 'you have to write exactly like this' then the more you put people off contributing.

<BB<

Something's wrong if we start judging entries by their length (in my opinion). We need to get the right content and style, first and foremost. If the entry needs more to be said, then, yeah, it'll be longer. The important thing is the flow of the piece. If it leaves the reader unfulfilled, then maybe it's too short. If it's going to lose their attention at some point, then maybe it's too long. If it never captures it in the first place, then maybe it shouldn't be written.

There really isn't a restriction on the number of words, as far as I can see.

My Arklow Pyramid entry A87854322 was an experiment to see how a really short entry would be received. It is 321 words, including a 65-word inscription on the pyramid. It had no problems in Peer Review.

At the other extreme, my Belzoni entry was 8,700 words. It also was accepted by the Eds, although they did split it into three. The original unsplit version is at A22176911.

The 500 to 1,000 word recommendation is that - a recommendation. It is something that inexperienced writers should aim for. But the entry won't be rejected if it is outside these limits.

I had a harder time in Peer Review with A27971715

That's an interesting entry. I'd be tempted to add a link to Frankie Goes to Hollywood, although that might detract from the main intent of the entry, making people think it was about the song, rather than being about the purpose of War.

I think the key is working with the editors and the suggestions in Peer Review.

Don't Panic!

Nice to see A27971715

However, it is surely true that war is good for business. War got the US out of the long depression of the thirties.

Why else is peace perpetually off the agenda?

To get our circulation up and attract more readers/listeners and traffic in general.

Audio Entries we could start with an audible version of the Post