How long can an answer be, before it's too long of an answer to read?

Question

I'm posting this in the Religion and Spirituality Forum, because that is where I typically answer questions.

You've all seen those incredibly long answers, that are typically long cut and paste jobs. But you also know that for certain questions, you need more details to adequately answer a question.

So, in what circumstances will you actually read long posts, and when do you skip over them? What do you consider too long of a post to read?

INSTRUCTIONS TO VOTERS: please vote for the answer that best reflects your opinion on this question. Too many good answers here and since this is opinion, there is no "Right" answer.

Answer 1

This question is too long

Answer 2

LOL! I skim through them first and see if they are cut and paste or if they are actually saying something I may be interested in...I have spent over 5 minutes reading some posts just because they started off interesting despite how long they were....If they are going on and on and don't have proper spaces or at least paragraphs then I usually get confused and stop reading...
I put really long posts sometimes but because I have something to SAY about it!! No cut and paste here! Ever!!
Too long is when I see lots of Quotations...I hardly ever read those...

BOG: Well said! That is EXACTLY it!!

Answer 3

Within the first couple of sentences you can tell if it's a personal answer or a Ctrl-V job. That guy who answers every question with something about Santraya Yoga and anybody who posts stuff with verse numbers still in the text are pretty easy to spot.

There's also a time function; if the question was asked twenty-three seconds ago, and the first answer is nine pagedowns long, you know it's a cut-and-paste.

Answer 4

maximum folk get the jist with interior the 1st few sentence and it kinda get annoying whilst there is like an entire internet site on textual content. some issues you're able to do to get extra helpful solutions once you ask longly are a million. What i'm doing understand do in simple terms it in you question 2. do away with any own data it fairly is unneeded 3. Shorten into small sentences 4. do in simple terms no longer elaborated lots it it a bad habit

Answer 5

It depends on if the writer is interesting and courteous and respectful of other's beliefs.

I cut off rude, mocking people's writings as soon as they show
themselves incapable of expressing themselves intelligently - whether they are religious or atheist. There are informative arguments and comments on all sides of any argument if a person is willing to listen to what people are saying without going off on them.

Sadly there are an element of people in all rooms that think the best way to expresss themselves is by being crude and arrogant in their speech.

Happily there are those who are willing to listen and evaluate everything, and if they don't agree with someone they simply state that they don't believe and leave it go at that.

Maturity is also a factor for me. If a person answers immature
remarks by returning immature remarks after giving intelligent
answers concerning what they believe then I will not follow what they have to say after that.

Answer 6

If the person who answers rambles on and has no point, it doesn't matter how long it is, it's pointless.

It's less about quantity and more about QUALITY. I don't mind reading a long post if it contains good answers.

I typically leave longer answers because I take the time to really answer the question, not just leave smart alec or sarcastic remarks.

Answer 7

If it's cut and paste, I'll ignore it. If it is a personal story or something that needs to be long to explain I'll read it, or at least skim it and see if it contains interesting points.

I think though, the longer answers are read by and more relevant to the asker, and the short answers are mostly for the people just browsing and looking for something to laugh at.

Answer 8

If I have to scroll down more than once. Otherwise I give them thumbs down and do not read what was given, no matter how good it might be or how much I admire the person.

One option to long answers is to blog your answer on 360 and then invite others to read it there.

The Ol' Hippie Jesus Freak
Grace and Peace
Peg

Answer 9

Depends on the answer, but usually anything over three paragraphs is too long. There are exceptions, of course.

Answer 10

I have ADD so I usually fade off half-way through a long answer. I've even started writing answers, then lost interest midway and gave up. lol

Answer 11

It's too long when someone rambles on about the same subject, going here nor there to get their point across.......generally still leave you "hanging....."