Wikipedia:Bitter stories made sweet

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Bitter stories are better sweet[edit]

  • Sometimes and for some people, stream-of-consciousness expression of unpleasantness is easier than pleasant expression.
  • Writing uncivil posts decreases the productivity of discussions.
  • If one writer is careful to write a civil post, it is more beneficial to the project.
  • Sometimes, it might be beneficial for an observer to offer a sweet (i.e. civil) version of an bitter (i.e. uncivil) written story.
  • Providing a civil version of an uncivil statement, makes it easier for others to palate, though it is likely to have the opposite effect on the poster of the uncivil comment.
  • The use of personal pronoun is not a prime factor in pleasantness.
  • A previously posted uncivil segment of discussion may benefit from a collapse, or even removal in some circumstances. (WP:REFACTOR)
  • An offered civil version should link to this essay.
  • Examples of bitter post and sweeter alternative versions are:

Blah blah insult profanity blah blah.—User:Bitter (talk) 01:00, 1 July, 2015 (UTC)

WP:BSMS: Blah blah blah blah.—User:Bitter (talk) 01:00, 1 July, 2015 (UTC), sweetened by User:Sweet (talk) 02:00, 1 July, 2015 (UTC)

  • A post can be shortened and sweetened simultaneously.

Blah blah insult blah blah profanity blah blah.—User:Wordy (talk) 01:00, 1 July, 2015 (UTC)

WP:LSMS and WP:BSMS: Blah blah blah.—User:Wordy (talk) 01:00, 1 July, 2015 (UTC), shortened and sweetened by User:Terse (talk) 02:00, 1 July, 2015 (UTC)

  • Do not keep records of others bitter posts. (WP:POLEMIC)
  • Remember that maintaining civility doesn't always mean being pleasant. Parliamentary language is acceptable (i.e. another editor must not be called a fool, but it may be said that their proposal is foolish; though it would be better to replace "foolish" with a phrase such as "ill conceived" or "totally unworkable").

See also[edit]