How to Write a Useful Thread

**Triple Threat** · 07-20-2011, 10:36 PM

After seeing a recent thread where a fellow forum member had his bike stolen and listed little to no information about his bike, I thought I'd take a minute to put together a quick post on how to write a useful thread. I’ve been wanting to do this for a while, so that last thread kind of made me get with the program and just get it done.

I’m not trying to belittle anyone particular person here, but in all honestly, many threads ask more questions then they answer:

Example 1.
Member post that their bike has been stolen but forgets to mention, the color, the year, including upgrades or anything that would make that bike stand out; thereby reducing the odds of the bike being recovered by a one of our members.

Example 2.
Member’s entire post goes something like this: “I love this new Ohlins shock.” But won’t list anything about the shock such as, model number, cost, place of purchase, what they like about it or why it’s better or if they would've purchased something else now that they have this new part.

Example 3.
Member post something (pick a subject) but uses so many code words and/or numerous abbreviations that would require a WWII (that’s World War 2 ) decoder to decipher the message

Example 4.
This is my favorite, member post a photo of a tiny new part, a part I've never seen in my life, I have know idea what the part is, what it's called or what it does. All the poster writes is "I can get these cheap" You can get what cheap? What the hell is it? What does it do? By the way, how cheap is it anyway? Personally I don't know because none of that was mentioned!

This is an International web site, some words and/or abbreviations don’t necessarily translate easily, not to mention not all of use here are knowledgeable as perhaps the poster maybe regarding that particular topic. Using plain language, spelling out words so that we can all understand what is being stated is always helpful can could make your post, clears throat, "more" meaningful.

Moreover, just asking people to put a little thought when putting a post together. A good starting point maybe to act as if your audience knows nothing about what the subject you’re writing about.

Lastly, if you're going to write a "how to" thread, please be thorough by including useful photos and easy to follow instructions.

Triple

**senator8** · 07-20-2011, 10:42 PM

Agreed. Great post!

Dshred · 07-21-2011, 01:54 AM

I agree, some posts are hard to follow.

If enough people read your post we could be in business.

Good thinking TT.

RichSC · 07-21-2011, 02:23 AM

Sticky this and make it mandatory that all read it. It would help so that maybe there aren't 10 posts following the OP trying to figure out WTF he/she was trying to convey.

**Triple Threat** · 07-21-2011, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichSC

Sticky this and make it mandatory that all read it. It would help so that maybe there aren't 10 posts following the OP trying to figure out WTF he/she was trying to convey.

Great idea, we may just have to do that. I'll let it circulate and give that a thought.

Triple

**JACOX** · 07-22-2011, 12:05 AM

"What we have hear, is a Failure, to Communicate!" ( movie:"Cool Hand Luke", starring Paul Newman, for the younger generation). Given the apparent generational gap, not to mention the slang-driven nature of our culture, throw in Aussies, Brits, expats, Yankees, and a few Red-Necks of all geography, no wonder it takes ten posts to figure out the subject line!. How about everybody just "talk simple", and we can all understand. IMHO (don't know what that means but I seen it a lot).