Who would have thought that articles with titles such as "10 this" or "10 that" would have become quite as popular as they have? I just "googled" the phrase "10 reasons" and there were 133 million results! The universe loves these articles!
What happened to the good, old fashioned, compelling title, when writers didn't need ten reasons to have their work read? I guess those days are long gone and we need to think of ten reasons every time we want to write, even if we only have one reason!
As dismayed as I may be, I do understand the reasons for the increase in popularity of such articles. We are told the reader no longer reads but simply scans articles, looking for "relevant only to me" points.
Fair enough, but does this actually encourage lazy reading and perhaps even worse does it encourage lazy writing? In a quick, quick world with even quicker lives should we not even try to slow down just a little so that we might actually absorb something? Discuss!
Anyway, the title promised you "10 Crazy Reasons", so I had better not disappoint.
1. If you have actually made it to point one, then one thing is for sure, you clicked the title, and so you probably really are crazy or just bored senseless.
2. I am running out of reasons already so this could be a big mistake. That's got to be crazy!
3. Seven more crazy reasons after this one, so please don't go.
4. Reason four is all about encouragement and support. I truly believe you can reach the end of the article, I am right behind you. Cheer up, it might get better.
5. In order to be a more considerate lover, you must, oh sorry, wrong article.
6. You think if you keep reading these "crazy" reasons, you might eventually happen across one that means something and will have a great impact on your life. For all you know it could be crazy reason number seven.
8. By now you may be scratching your head, feeling cheated and as though you have wasted time and energy. There is cause for celebation though, as it may mean you have read all points thus far, ruling out any chance of you only being a "scan" reader!
9. Only two reasons to go now. Perhaps the writer has been bluffing and will finish with a profound bang.
10. If you are still here at reason ten, then my thoughts are with you. Your bonus for arriving here is an opportunity to see the "witty" and crucial disclaimer below.
Disclaimer : This ever so slightly sarcastic look at the genre of article known to me as "10 Reasons" in no way prohibits me from engaging in articles of this nature, mockingly or for serious purposes in the not too distant and further future.
Look out for an article coming soon entitled, "10 reasons why crazy reason number seven was missing!" You don't want to miss that one; it may have the golden nugget of information we all clamour for, the missing link that will complete our lives, the supreme piece of knowledge that will solve all our problems and the world's too!
There may also be an article called, "10 reasons why Microsoft Word isn't user friendly to "witty" writers who would really love to skip a number in the middle of the article!"
11 September 2009
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