# When linking to an article, suggest the OP tell us what they think is worth noting about it

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-linking-to-an-article-suggest-the-op-tell-us-what-they-think-is-worth-noting-about-it/941300>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [May 3, 2021, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-linking-to-an-article-suggest-the-op-tell-us-what-they-think-is-worth-noting-about-it/941300 "2021-05-03T16:16:44Z")\
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**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\
**Post date:** [May 4, 2021, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-linking-to-an-article-suggest-the-op-tell-us-what-they-think-is-worth-noting-about-it/941300/33 "2021-05-04T18:07:19Z")

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> [@Acsenray](#):
>
> The standard should be that the poster summarize _what that relevant information actually is_ . It needn’t be a lot of detail but it should be able stand alone from the reference.

Yes. That is the whole point of this thread.

> [@puzzlegal](#):
>
> I’m not going to watch that video unless you give me a really compelling reason to.

This is me, too.

> [@puzzlegal](#):
>
> I’m not comfortable with a hard-and-fast “no link without additional text” rule, though.

I would like people to use common sense. If possessed of any.

As a grant proposal writer for almost 40 years, I had a rule for myself: to read the thing over (and often ask others to do it, too) and try to see any place where I might possibly be misunderstood and to clarify as much as possible without adding a bunch of extra words. Especially because I know the people reading my ~~crap~~ brilliantly reasoned arguments are reading hundreds of similar requests, may be in a bad mood, may be multitasking, may be drunk, and/or may just take random offense over something I can’t control. Whatever.

I try to be as clear as I can here, too, and yet I find (not often, but not never) that in spite of my best efforts and best editing, people totally misunderstand me-- and I usually blame myself.

So yeah, hard-and-fast-rule-- not necessary. But before you hit “reply,” cast your eye over your post and see if a few extra words might make your intent clearer than just a naked link.

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