Possible improvement: If the core of the article is less than one screen long, it either does not need a summary, or it needs much shorter summary. The length of summary should be cca 10% of the article length, not 30%. And perhaps (other readers may disagree with this) the summary should be at the end of the article, not at the beginning.
[Perhaps] the summary should be at the end of the article, not at the beginning.
First, thank you for your input. I actually switched the order so some could more easily read the summary if that was all they wanted. I’m very curious in whether the original order was indeed preferable.
I’m very curious in whether the original order was indeed preferable.
For a long text it probably would be. It probably also depends on what exactly is included in the summary: the question you are going to answer, or also the answer to the question? In other words, does the “summary” contain spoilers? But even then, some people prefer spoilers (because that saves time), and some people prefer to read text without spoilers (because they have the time, and want to think about the problem first).
Perhaps the best solution would be: A short question at the beginning, with an information that the answer is at the end. Then, the text body. A short answer at the end. (Just my opinion.)
I tried shortening the summary, but ended up breaking down the second sentence into a subordinate clause of the first; hopefully it makes the summary appear shorter, despite the unchanged length.
I also added a horizontal rule so those who wish to go right into the meat of things can dismiss what’s above the rule without missing content.
I’m not sure if the post is even needed; I also worry I may have been confusing. Please let me know.
The Little Albert example really makes the point.
I would judge it as 90% good. Which means: good.
Possible improvement: If the core of the article is less than one screen long, it either does not need a summary, or it needs much shorter summary. The length of summary should be cca 10% of the article length, not 30%. And perhaps (other readers may disagree with this) the summary should be at the end of the article, not at the beginning.
First, thank you for your input. I actually switched the order so some could more easily read the summary if that was all they wanted. I’m very curious in whether the original order was indeed preferable.
For a long text it probably would be. It probably also depends on what exactly is included in the summary: the question you are going to answer, or also the answer to the question? In other words, does the “summary” contain spoilers? But even then, some people prefer spoilers (because that saves time), and some people prefer to read text without spoilers (because they have the time, and want to think about the problem first).
Perhaps the best solution would be: A short question at the beginning, with an information that the answer is at the end. Then, the text body. A short answer at the end. (Just my opinion.)
I tried shortening the summary, but ended up breaking down the second sentence into a subordinate clause of the first; hopefully it makes the summary appear shorter, despite the unchanged length.
I also added a horizontal rule so those who wish to go right into the meat of things can dismiss what’s above the rule without missing content.